Advertisement for artificial teeth from H. Rowe & Co.

Advertisement for artificial teeth from H. Rowe & Co., extractor and fitter of teeth, of New Mills, Derbyshire.

Ancient Egyptians were the first to use dentures in 1500 BC, made from human teeth threaded together with gold wire, and wooden dentures were common in Japan from the 16th century. Later they were made of ivory, porcelain and even human teeth. Thankfully acrylic and rubber compounds were developed in the 20th century.