Dental Daily

🦷 The Anatomy of Gum Disease

Archaeologists in Portugal have discovered a rare 19th-century dental bridge made from animal bone, carefully shaped to resemble natural teeth and tied into the mouth with thread or wire.

Researchers believe the prosthetic was likely cosmetic rather than functional. It may have helped hide missing or damaged teeth and improve speech at a time when modern dentistry did not yet exist.

Scans showed the bridge was probably made from cattle bone, and even contained lead-based material used to reinforce the structure — despite the toxic risks that were unknown at the time.

Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2026)
Vassallo et al.
doi:10.1002/oa.70115