Ancient Roman Dental Prosthetics
Archaeologists have found false teeth—crafted from ivory—wired into Roman jaws.
Unknown — "Wall painting on black ground: Aedicula with small landscape, from the imperial villa at Boscotrecase" (last decade of the 1st century BCE), public domain
Ivory Teeth in the Roman Mouth
Archaeologists have uncovered Roman skeletons with dental bridges. Some, like a jaw found at Santa Maria Capua Vetere, show animal ivory teeth wired into place with twisted gold. Not just for the wealthy, but for anyone who could afford to hide a gap.
Ancient Dentistry, Surprisingly Sophisticated
These prosthetics weren’t decorative—they were meant to function, helping speech and chewing. Pliny the Elder even writes about people who “replace their teeth” with bone or ivory. It wasn’t comfortable, but it showed a Roman’s determination to keep up appearances.
A Smile with Secrets
Next time you think of ancient Romans, picture someone flashing a smile—part natural, part imported elephant. Vanity and innovation have deep roots, even in the mouth.
Long before modern dentistry, some Romans wore dental bridges made of gold wire and animal ivory, tucked discretely behind a practiced smile.
