Although George Washington reputedly wore wooden dentures, porcelain became the choice of early cosmetic dentists about the time he became the first U.S. president; a patent was granted for such dentures in Britain around 1790. Unlike dentures made from organic materials, porcelain was resistant to rot and surprisingly durable.
One of the many restorative and reconstructive techniques in which cosmetic dentists are trained is called enameloplasty or odontoplasty – more commonly known as enamel shaping.
According to legend, Ponce de Leon wandered around present-day Florida and the Deep South in search of the legendary “Fountain of Youth” back in the 16th Century – but chances are he was carrying it with his provisions all along.