07/05/2026
Researchers in Scotland have identified one of the earliest known examples of restorative dentistry in a man buried between 1460–1670 CE. Examination of the skull revealed a gold ligature secured around the lower front teeth, likely functioning as a replacement for a missing mandibular incisor centuries before modern dental practice was formally established.
Because professional dentistry did not yet exist, experts believe the procedure may have been carried out by a skilled craftsman such as a jeweller, barber, or early dental practitioner. The use of gold also suggests the individual belonged to a relatively wealthy social class, as such treatment would have been rare and expensive during that period.
The finding highlights that tooth replacement and aesthetic dental rehabilitation were already being attempted long before contemporary prosthodontics evolved. Researchers also note that restoring the appearance of the smile may have been socially important, as dental appearance was closely associated with status, identity, and public perception in medieval society.
🔬Credit: British dental journal
📷 Photograph by Jenna Dittmar.
