Thursday, August 21, 2014

Mexican Statue of Jesus Has Human Teeth

A 300 year old statue of Jesus found in Mexico strangely enough has real human teeth. The teeth were
found as a discovery when the statue was being restored. Although the practice seems strange to modern day people, apparently the 17th and 18th century practice of putting teeth into a statue made sense to them.

It was a tradition for human body parts to be donated to the church for religious purposes according to Fanny Unikel Santoncini, the discoverer and restorer of the teeth from the Escuela Nacional de Restauracion, Conservacion Y Museografic at the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia E Historia (INAH) in Mexico.  Many times, the statues used whole bones and teeth from animals.  Animal bones were carved into human teeth for statues.

Apparently, the people then were very religious and the donations were a common practice.   Apparently in Mexico there are other statues of the Virgin Mary and Saints with teeth as well.  Wigs were also donated to adorn statues.

+Verde Pointe Dental Associates +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS have always known how important smiles are to people, and is seen even in statues.  Should you need a dentist in Marietta, GA, we would love to help.


Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Science and Your Teeth Reveal Where You Grew Up


There's no hiding where you are from, as scientists can now take a look at our teeth to reveal where
we grew up, according to a new study written about by George Kamenov from the University of Florida and Brian Gulson, of Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia in the journal Science of the Total Environment.


 
The discovery is about lead, an element that exists in four isotopic forms in the development of teeth.  As our tooth enamel develops, it creates a lead isotope composition distinct to the environment.  The amount of each isotope differs according to where it is found in the world's rocks, soil and ores, giving teeth specific isotope markers for geographic areas.  Four isotopes exist with slightly differing compositions in different parts of the world. 

Lead isotope profiles accumulate in a child's body from inhalation and contact with the soil.  Unlike bone that regenerates constantly, tooth enamel is set once developed.  This allows for a unique lead isotope profile with set information on location during enamel formation.

If you a a foreigner in a new land, your dental enamel is different from those around you.  We know have the ability to tell you from where a person came.

Marietta Dentists, from +Verde Pointe Dental Associates +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS  welcome new patients to the cosmetic and emergency dental practice



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Vampire Teeth Not Just For Halloween Anymore

A strange new fad wearing vampire teeth has begun to hit professional dental offices across the country.  Mostly young teens and twenty somethings have begun to wear vampire teeth as a new fad.  People are surmising the hype is a side effect from the popular Twilight series.  Regardless of the cause, momentum is gaining.

Many of those donning the teeth are looking for quality only a professional dentist can provide. 

A handful of dentists have now been reported to make the fangs with dental veneers as a safe option to get the desired look.  The dentists are reported to charge about $200 a set.  The tooth veneers are cemented on with a safe glue, allowing the fangs to be removed without damaging existing tooth structure. It's like bonding on braces.

Goth scenes and modern day vampires are also expected to get in on the action.

Some say it's just as fad, as they look at it as an extension of rapper gold grills and Katy Perry's jewel adorned teeth.  Since some are grinding natural teeth to points, this is a better alternative damaging teeth for good.

The fad has been steadily growing, perhaps offering a safe alternative is an answer.