Two pelican tooth extractors, circa 1750 C017 / 8364
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Two pelican tooth extractors, circa 1750 C017 / 8364
Two pelican tooth extractors, one is in boxwood (left) and the other in ebony (right). Pelican extractors 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. These are continental and date from around 1750
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9211877
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1700s 1750 1750s 18th Century Antique Continent Continental Dental Dental Care Dentistry Eighteenth Century Forceps Instrument Instruments Mainland Pelican Teeth Tool Tools Tooth Tooth Drawing Tooth Extraction Tooth Extractor Tooth Extractors Blue Background
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases two pelican tooth extractors, each crafted with precision and care during the 18th century. The extractor on the left is beautifully carved from boxwood, while its counterpart on the right boasts an elegant ebony construction. Pelican extractors were widely used by barber surgeons and practitioners as a means of extracting teeth, earning their name from their claw-like design reminiscent of a pelican's beak. Tooth extraction was considered a last-resort remedy for unbearable toothaches in those times. These continental instruments originated in the 14th century but gained immense popularity by the 1500s. What makes these particular extractors remarkable is that no two are alike; each one was custom-designed to fulfill specific orders. The historical significance of these dental tools cannot be understated. They offer us a glimpse into early dentistry practices and remind us how far we have come in terms of oral healthcare. Dating back to around 1750, this pair serves as tangible evidence of our ancestors' commitment to alleviating dental pain and preserving oral health. Against a serene blue background, this photograph not only captures the beauty of these antique instruments but also invites contemplation about our shared history with dentistry and medical advancements throughout Europe during that era.
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