Mandible

Date: circa 1800

Accession number: MAL92[27]*

Place of collection: Marylebone Cemetery, London

Material: bone; ivory; platinum

By today's standards, oral hygiene was poor during the 19th century. Dental procedures such as fillings were expensive and many people were toothless by the time they reached middle age. This woman's jawbone was found in Marylebone cemetery, part of a prosperous area. An incisor taken from another person has been fitted into the gap where she lost a lower tooth. It is secured with wires to the teeth on either side. Teeth extracted from those killed in battle to be re-used in this way were known as 'Waterloo teeth'.