George Washington's False Teeth - Top Half

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While George Washington's dental troubles plagued him for most of his life, a myth surrounding his false teeth has been thoroughly debunked. Contrary to popular belief, George Washington did not have dentures made of wood. In fact, his dentures were crafted from a variety of materials, including human teeth. During the 18th century, it was common practice among dentists to obtain teeth from less fortunate individuals for use in dentures or tooth transplants. One notable instance involved George Washington himself, who purchased nine teeth in 1784 for a mere 122 shillings – roughly one-third of the payment advertised to poor white Americans at the time. It is likely that these teeth came from enslaved people living on his estate at Mount Vernon.