Three tooth keys, circa 1850 C017 / 8403
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Three tooth keys, circa 1850 C017 / 8403
Three ebony handled tooth keys. Tooth extraction is the earliest known dental procedure, it was used as a last-resort cure for toothache. From around 1750 the tooth key, whilst still brutal, overtook the less-effective pelican tooth extractor as the instrument of choice for tooth-drawing. The claw would be placed over the crown of the tooth and the device would be twisted to dislocate the tooth (often following prior loosening by an elevator tool). These examples are English and date from around 1850
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9212183
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1850 1850s Antique Beige Background Claw Dental Dental Care Dentistry Device Devices Ebony Instrument Instruments Nineteenth Century Tool Tools Tooth Drawing Tooth Extraction Tooth Extractor Tooth Key Tooth Keys
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from Science Photo Library showcases three tooth keys dating back to the mid-19th century. These ebony-handled instruments were crucial in performing tooth extractions, which served as a last-resort remedy for unbearable toothaches during that time. Before the dominance of the tooth key, dentists relied on less effective tools like the pelican tooth extractor. However, around 1750, this brutal yet more efficient instrument became the preferred choice for dental practitioners when it came to extracting teeth. The process involved placing the claw-like end of the key over the crown of a troublesome tooth and then twisting it forcefully to dislocate and remove it. Prior loosening by an elevator tool was often necessary. These particular examples are English-made and date back to approximately 1850. As historical artifacts, they offer us a glimpse into early dental practices in England during that era. Displayed against a beige background, these antique devices serve as reminders of how far dental care has come since then. The intricate craftsmanship of these instruments is evident in their ebony handles and precise design. They stand as testaments to both medical ingenuity and human resilience in finding solutions for alleviating pain even centuries ago.
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