Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Olga Crawford Canadian Dental Collection
Category
Dental
Animal Remains
Dentures
Classification
Dental
Animal Remains
Dentures
Accession Number
010020492
Description
Lower partial denture completely carved of ivory; teeth present are central and lateral incisors and two canines; there are three holes drilled in the back of the denture; two of them are behind the central incisors, and one is behind the proper right canine and lateral incisor
Lower partial denture completely carved of ivory; teeth present are central and lateral incisors and two canines; there are three holes drilled in the back of the denture; two of them are behind the central incisors, and one is behind the proper right canine and lateral incisor
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Transfer from the Dental Canada Fund; previously housed in the Dentistry Canada Museum (Ottawa)
Dates
1750
1760
circa 1750-1760
Date Remarks
Date based on donor's remarks
Material
ivory: cream
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-B
Dimension Notes
Length 1.0 cm x Width 3.4 cm x Depth 1.7 cm
Condition Remarks
Shows signs of use; ivory is very discoloured around the edges of the canines and the grooves where the teeth meet the gums; scratches are visible all over; there is a crack on the back of the proper right canine
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Internet
JPG
Reference Comments
"British Dental Association Museum" website; CD #4
Research Facts
Dr Ralph and Mrs Olga Crawford donated their extensive Canadian dental collection to the DCF to create the museum in 1997; further donations were received while Dr Crawford was Curator Emeritus at the Dental Canada Museum until its closure in 2008; ivory was a common material used in the manufacture of dentures in the 18th century; a down side to ivory is that it degrades quickly in the mouth resulting in bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth; human teeth were preferred as they did not degrade like ivory or were too white like porcelain