Scientists have made a fascinating discovery about a 17th-century French aristocrat, Anne d’Alegre, 400 years after her death. It turns out that she was using gold wire to keep her teeth from falling out. The body of d’Alegre was found during an archaeological excavation at the Chateau de Laval in northwestern France in 1988. Her skeleton and teeth were remarkably well preserved, and at the time, archaeologists noticed that she had a dental prosthetic. However, it wasn’t until 35 years later that a team of archaeologists and dentists were able to identify that d’Alegre suffered from periodontal disease that was causing her teeth to loosen.
Using advanced scanning tools, including a “Cone Beam” scan that uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images, the researchers discovered that gold wire had been used to hold together and tighten several of d’Alegre’s teeth. Additionally, she had an artificial tooth made of ivory from an elephant, which was unusual for the time as hippopotamus ivory was more commonly used. However, this ornate dental work actually worsened her condition, as the gold wires needed repeated tightening over the years, further destabilizing her neighboring teeth.
The researchers believe that d’Alegre endured the pain of her dental issues not only for medical reasons but also due to societal pressures. Appearance was highly valued among aristocratic women during that time, and a nice smile was seen as a reflection of one’s value and rank in society. Ambroise Pare, a contemporary of d’Alegre’s and the doctor for several French kings, claimed that being toothless could affect a person’s speech. This suggests that d’Alegre, who was described as a “controversial” twice-widowed socialite with a questionable reputation, likely felt the need to maintain a good appearance.
D’Alegre lived through a tumultuous period in French history. She was a Huguenot, a Protestant who fought against Catholics in the French Wars of Religion in the late 1500s. By the age of 21, she had already been widowed once and had a young son. During the Eighth War of Religion, d’Alegre and her son had to hide from Catholic forces while their property was seized by the king. Tragically, her son converted to Catholicism and died in battle in Hungary at the age of 20. After being widowed for the second time, d’Alegre passed away at the age of 54 due to an illness.
Rozenn Colleter, an archaeologist at the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research and lead author of the study, believes that d’Alegre’s teeth reveal the immense stress she went through during her life. The researcher hopes that this research will help rehabilitate d’Alegre’s reputation. Severe periodontal diseases, like the one d’Alegre suffered from, are estimated to affect nearly a fifth of the world’s adults, according to the World Health Organization. This discovery sheds light on the historical context of dental health and the pressures faced by individuals, particularly women, in maintaining a certain appearance.
What does the discovery of an artificial tooth made from elephant ivory suggest about Anne d’Alegre’s wealth and status during the 17th century
Damaging her gums and exacerbating the periodontal disease. This finding sheds new light on the practices of dental care during the 17th century.
The discovery of Anne d’Alegre’s dental prosthetic has provided insight into the advanced dental techniques used during her time. The fact that she used gold wire to prevent her teeth from falling out highlights the lengths people went to preserve their teeth even centuries ago.
The well-preserved state of d’Alegre’s skeleton and teeth allowed the researchers to closely examine the dental work she had undergone. By utilizing advanced scanning tools such as the Cone Beam scan, they were able to create detailed three-dimensional images of her dental structure. This allowed them to identify the gold wire used to hold her teeth in place and tighten them.
Furthermore, the researchers also noted the presence of an artificial tooth made from elephant ivory. This finding was particularly interesting as it deviated from the norm of using hippopotamus ivory during that time period. The use of such a rare material for dental work suggests that d’Alegre may have held significant wealth and status.
However, the ornate dental work that d’Alegre had undergone ultimately worsened her condition. The repeated tightening of the gold wires likely caused damage to her gums and exacerbated the periodontal disease. This revelation demonstrates the potential risks involved in early dental techniques and highlights the difficulties faced by individuals seeking dental care in the past.
Overall, the discovery of Anne d’Alegre’s dental prosthetic showcases the advancements in dental care during the 17th century. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the efforts individuals made to preserve their teeth, even using materials as precious as gold. This finding also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals seeking dental treatment in the past and the improvement in dental care that we enjoy today.
