Exhibition Highlights

The articles on this page highlight some of the highlights of our museum collections, taking a closer look at the stories, history, and surprising details behind them. From treadle drills to custom dental devices, each piece has something special to tell us about the history of dentistry.

Treadle Drill

This item is part of a Victorian treadle drill, which would have been used to remove tooth decay or diseased tissue from the teeth. While the item in this collection is estimated to date from around 1890, this type of drill was originally designed in 1871 by James Beall Morrison.

Non-arcon Dental Articulator and Complete Set of Dentures

Behind every bite, chew, and smile is a fascinating science of movement, the way muscles, bones, and joints work together in a well-rehearsed choreography. This hidden side of dentistry, called biomechanics, helps explain how our jaws move and function every day.

Set of Dental Casts and Impression Trays

This collection of casts, models, and custom trays tell a story of a complex case at the prosthodontist’s clinic that required not only experienced planning, but also resilience and patience.

Casco Vulcaniser

Before the mid-nineteenth century, dentures were often made of porcelain or ivory. These materials were expensive, brittle, and uncomfortable to wear. That was until the invention of vulcanite, a special kind of hardened rubber.