A small bone dental bridge found in a 19th century burial in Porto is giving researchers a rare look at early dental care in Portugal. The object, described in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, marks the first documented fixed bone dental bridge recovered from a Portuguese archaeological site.
The prosthetic device came from the burial ground of the 3rd Order of Our Lady of Carmo hospital in Porto. Researchers linked the burial to the early 1800s, between 1801 and 1831, through the study of the grave and an associated crucifix. The remains belonged to a young adult, likely female, although the individual’s exact sex could not be confirmed with certainty because parts of the skull and lower jaw were missing.
The upper jaw showed severe tooth loss long before death. Empty tooth sockets had already begun to heal, showing the teeth had been missing for some time. Only two loose lower teeth survived with the remains.
Researchers recovered the prosthetic near the skull. The piece measured 24 millimeters long, 6 millimeters wide, and 12 millimeters high. It had been carved into three rough U-shaped teeth that increased in size from one side to the other. Small perforations on each end suggest the bridge was tied into place with thread or wire.
To study the object, the team used several non-destructive techniques, including micro-CT imaging, x-ray diffraction, stereomicroscopy, and Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry, known as ZooMS. These methods allowed the researchers to examine the bridge without damaging the artifact.
The analysis showed the prosthetic was made from animal bone belonging to the Bovidae family, which includes cattle, bison, and several antelope species. Cattle bone appears the most likely source because of its common use in Europe during the period. Still, the researchers noted Portugal’s trade connections with Africa raise the possibility of an African antelope origin.
The scans also revealed an unusual cube-shaped material embedded in one corner of the bridge. Chemical analysis identified the substance as lead compounds, mainly pyromorphite and cerussite. Researchers think the lead material strengthened or repaired the attachment holes. Lead was widely used in historical crafts and medicine despite its toxic effects, though no evidence tied the material to the individual’s death.
The exact purpose of the bridge remains uncertain. Its thin structure and simple shape would have provided little support for chewing. The design instead points toward cosmetic use. Researchers believe the device likely covered the visible surface of the lower front teeth, helping hide damage, discoloration, or missing teeth. The bridge might also have improved speech by filling gaps in the mouth.
Dental prosthetics from earlier Portuguese contexts are extremely rare. Previous finds include a wire dental ligature from the late 15th century and an ivory bridge dating between the 16th and 17th centuries. More advanced crowns and dentures appeared later during the formal development of Portuguese dentistry in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The researchers noted dental care during this period was expensive and usually limited to wealthier members of society. The presence of such a customized prosthetic suggests the individual likely belonged to a higher social class.
The study forms part of the BeFRAIL project, which examines human frailty and health in 19th century Porto through archaeological evidence from sites linked to the Carmo institution. The burial grounds were active during decades shaped by cholera outbreaks and military conflict.
Researchers hope future excavations at the site will uncover additional dental devices. Each new find adds detail to the history of dentistry and shows how people in the past attempted to deal with tooth loss long before modern dental treatment became widely available.
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