The Use of Porcelain in Dentistry

Before the invention of porcelain teeth and dental appliances, many different methods for replacing dental surfaces were tried and discarded. In France, where the science and art of dentistry were more seriously pursued, several methods of attaching false teeth were tried and abandoned. Throughout the European world, different kinds of false teeth were being experimented with (4:46). In Paris, some false teeth were attached by piercing gums above or below the particular site and attaching teeth with closefitting hooks. In other situations, complete sets of crowns and bridges were fitted in an individual's mouth and held in place by a combination of springs and the individual(s own muscle power (4:49).

At this time in the history of dentistry, the false teeth that were being fitted, either as individual teeth or as bridges, were made of ivory. The source of this ivory could be elephants, various seadwelling mammals, or the teeth of Hippopotami, known as the "Sea Horse" (4:53). Although, from an aesthetic point of view, these bonewhite teeth replacements might have looked fine in the beginning, they easily became stained and began to decay. As organic, porous materials, bone and ivory normally began to blacken and decay within a year from the action of oral fluids. Often, this process of decomposition would impart odors to the wearer's breath and flavors to the wearers food, which created additional burden (4:52).

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t the help of a dentist, a Dr. de Chement, in finding the correct formulation for dental quality porcelain. The final mixture included pipeclay and coloring earths, to allow the porcelain to bake at even lower temperatures. Eventually, a denture was turned out that fitted Duchateau(s gums (4:54). Duchateau tried to make money by supplying similar sets to others but lacked dental knowledge and eventually failed. In 1776, he presented the new process to the Royal Academy of Surgeons in Paris, receiving their thanks and an honorable mention. He did no more. Dr. de Chemant continued working on the idea. He determined to calculate exactly the degree to which china teeth would contract on heating and to perfect the system of springs that held them in place. By the time he published a book on the subject in 1788, several people were wearing the new sort of teeth (4:54). Dr. de Chemant, in his own interests, lashed out at the use of ivory, bone, and other animal substitutes for teeth. He drew attention to the incorruptible and healthy nature of porcelain teeth, made from mineral paste. The first single porcelain teeth were produced in 1808 by Guiseppangelo Fonzi, an Italian dentist working in Paris. They were rounded, enameled on the o

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