Pelican tooth extractor, circa 1751 C017 / 8390
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Pelican tooth extractor, circa 1751 C017 / 8390
Pelican tooth extractor, made of steel with screw adjustment. These were an early type of dental forceps, so named due to their claw which was thought to resemble a pelicans beak. Tooth extraction is the earliest known dental procedure, it was used as a last-resort cure for toothache. Pelican extractors originated in the fourteenth century and by the 1500s they had become the most popular tool for tooth-drawing amongst barber surgeons and practitioners. No two alike, each Pelican extractor would have been individually designed to order. This example is continental and dates from around 1750
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9212087
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1700s 1750 1750s 18th Century Antique Continent Continental Dental Dentistry Eighteenth Century Extract Extraction Forceps Instrument Instruments Mainland Peach Background Pelican Teeth Tool Tools Tooth Extractor
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable artifact from the past - a Pelican tooth extractor dating back to around 1751. Crafted with precision using steel and featuring a screw adjustment, this dental forceps was an early tool used for tooth extraction. Its name derived from the resemblance of its claw-like design to that of a pelican's beak. Tooth extraction, considered as one of the earliest known dental procedures, served as a last-resort remedy for excruciating toothaches during those times. The popularity of Pelican extractors soared in the fourteenth century and peaked by the 1500s among barber surgeons and practitioners who performed these extractions. What makes this particular Pelican extractor truly fascinating is its uniqueness. Each instrument was individually designed upon request, resulting in no two extractors being alike. This specific example hails from continental Europe and belongs to the mid-18th century period. With its peach background highlighting every intricate detail, this antique photograph not only offers insight into historical dentistry practices but also serves as a testament to human ingenuity throughout centuries. It reminds us of how far we have come in terms of dental care while honoring our ancestors' resourcefulness when faced with oral health challenges.
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