Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-01-29
THE TEETH WE WEAR.
How They Are Made and What They Are
Made q.

Made Of
The elaborate array of artificial teeth
on exhibition at the meeting OF the
New England Dental Society in this
city was striking on account OF the
great number and variety shown as
well as their beauty OF finish and arts
tic arrangement. TO one inclined to
be morbidly sensitive the long rows of
glistening white molars might be
CHASTITY in their suggestiveness, and
the feeling thus produced could not
but be intensified as the human skill
full manipulation erasped an upper and
lower set attached 10 plates in one
hand and let them grin out ut Il be-
%twecnitwo fingers to show their natur-
alneSs. or sklllfully worked them III
imitation of the jaws action TO display
their adaptability to each other. The
ordinary observer could find much to
admire, however, in lhe collection and
not the least interesting feature was
the contrast in make and finish be-
tween the exhibits of teeth of English
and American manufacture, there be-
ing quite u large display OF the former.
lhe English, to Judge from thisexhibit,
prefer to have their artificial teeth lar
ger, darker and nor closely resemb-
ling natural teeth in irregularity than
do tile people in this country, and up
on inquiry of the agent OF the English
firm, who has had abundant opportu-
nifty for. observation and contrast IN
the matter, this was found to be actu-
ally the case.
A gentleman representing ore OF the
largest manufactures OF artificial teeth
in this country was requested by a rep
resentative OF the Free Press to give
some information as to- the kinds OF
material used in the composition OF
teeth and the method OF their manu-
tacture. 81 suppose you have heard"
said he. 'tof the old idea Of their origin
and of the superstition which is said to
have formerly existed in the minds OF
the ignorant against. the use Of false
teeth from the fact that one could not
be absolutely certain that in using
them he was not using the instruments
OF masticaiion of some deceased friend.
| have heard old dentists say that they
had encountered prejudice OF this kind.
but as you may imagine that was q
good While ago.
DWELL the principal Of the tooth is
4 peculiar quality of field spar, the
most OF that which we use coming
from Delaware. 1t is mined like coal,
and ground into q fine powder. The
spar forms the body Of the tooth, but it
is Il soft substance and it is mixed with
slick to harden it, the proportion OF
the mixture used by us being Il secret.
Formerly the teeth were enamcled after
being partially baked, but all the ma
~1crials, including the coloring matter,
are now mixed together ut the outset,
the whole forming Il mass much re-
scmbting dough. This is kncadcd by
machinery and when the kneading pro-
cess is complete the dough is III Il very
plastic state aud is ready for the mold.
Some OF t1e Molds are single and
Others ;tre Tor three teeth joined to-
s,eyner us they appear in market. The
4 dough is put into the molds, with u
spatula, the mold having previously
been fitted with the s~hort-headed wires
OF platinum which arc seen in single
teeth and which serve TO attach them
to the rubber plate. No other availa-
bic metal would stand the heat 10
which the molds arc subjected, SO pla-
tinum has 10 be used, the wires in
every single set of teeth being worth
about g. cents.
The teeth are allowed to stand in
the mods until they become semi-solid,
when they are taken out and laid on
strips OF platinum and are now ready
for the baking process. The furnace
used for this operation is provided
with Il large number of aperlures to
admit the mutlles or ovens i'll which
the platinum plates bearing the teeth
are placed. These mutlies are hall
cylinders made OF iire-clay, and they
are solid except at one end, which has
through which tie baker can watch
the process. The baking of teeth is the
most important step in their manufact-
ure; for it allowed TO remain in the
oven too long they will be very brittle,
and if taken out too quick they will be
soft, but i'll either case they are spoiled.
The operator is guided entirely by the
eye in deciding when TO withdraw the
mutlles from the furnace, which is
done when the teeth have reached a
certain tint: and the particular tint de-
pended upon by the baker is Il cher
lshed secret, The muilles are allowed to
remain in the furnace from one to two
minutes, according to the temperature.
Alter The teeth have cooled they are
ready for carding. which is done by
women and girls, and. this done, they
are ready Tor market"
"Do you have much difficulty in
matching tecth?' asked the reporter.
Yes, that is the most p~erplcxing
thing i'll the business. A dentist will
send us q sample tooth from which we
are TO gain an idea of the color wanted.
and it frequently requires hours OF
searching to fill the order. You would
scarcely think it, to look at oureXhibit,
but we have here about fifty ,,tlerent
tinis Of teeth, and yet most people
Wpuid call them white. / tell You !;
man WHO sells teeth must not Jc in
clincc to color-bhndness. ii--BUrijuq-
Ian (E.) irte Press.
-------s~e 1a-------
Only n Civil,