Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Olga Crawford Canadian Dental Collection
Category
Dental
Animal Remains
Dentures
Classification
Dental
Animal Remains
Dentures
Accession Number
010020493
Description
Upper partial denture completely carved of ivory; teeth present are central and lateral incisors, two canines and two first premolars; the top of the partial is flat; each end of the denture is arched slightly to accomodate an existing molar or gum; there are faint red marks above each tooth where …
Upper partial denture completely carved of ivory; teeth present are central and lateral incisors, two canines and two first premolars; the top of the partial is flat; each end of the denture is arched slightly to accomodate an existing molar or gum; there are faint red marks above each tooth where it meets the ivory gum.
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
ink: red
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-B
Dimension Notes
Length 3.6 cm x Width 2.2 cm x Depth 1.7 cm
Condition Remarks
Shows signs of use; ivory is very discoloured around the edges of the first premolars, the grooves where the teeth meet the gums, and the top and underside of the dentures; scratches are visible all over; there are faint cracks on the top of the dentures, the centre of the underside of the dentures, and along the end of the proper left side
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