Mystery Objects - Dentistry Show May 2024
“Fakir’s toothbrush”
Used to soften the wax in a registration block when adjusting the occlusal rims in a jaw registration.
A reversible hydrocolloid syringe
Used to heat up a cartridge of a reversible hydrocolloid impression material for crown and bridge work. This was an accurate material but it tore easily if it flowed into any undercut in the impression. Popular and widely used before the introduction of polysulphides. Still used by some in 1970s/1980s.
Hanau torch
For finishing wax work, typically in denture wax ups.
Gold foil plugger
For condensing a gold foil restoration. The mallet was used to hammer in the gold foil restorations. This trauma often left the tooth periostitic.
Oil can for handpiece
Used to introduce oil into the “new” air rotor handpieces.
The Empire High Frequency Dental Outfit
Claimed by the inventor to be used for treating many oral conditions such as pyorrhoea, gingivitis, haemorrhage, to sterilize roots, bleaching dead teeth, diseases of the antrum and neuralgia. Each attachment was designed for a specific role. For sale in the 1890s/1920.
Arkansas stone
An essential item in a surgery for sharpening hand instruments such as chisels and trimmers. Dental students were taught how to sharpen their hand instruments early on in their course.
Jutterbocks vulcanite strengthener
Inserted into the palate of a vulcanite denture to prevent fracture.
Suction discs
Slotted into a chamber in the palate of a full denture to provide extra retention in a maxillary denture. The patient was encouraged to suck on the disc to create a vacuum thereby improving retention.
Spherical ingots
Made of chrome cobalt alloy for cobalt chrome denture bases