George Washington's Famous Dentures

President George Washington's famous dentures are part of a new display on exhibit at Mount Vernon.

Despite the legends, these aren't made of wood.

They're made of hippopotamus ivory.

Also on display is Washington's last real tooth.

His dentist had it encased in gold and glass and attached it to his pocket watch.

On the Net:

http://www.mountvernon.org/

From Facts & Falsehoods about George Washington:
http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/808/

Did George Washington have wooden teeth?

He had false teeth, but they were not made of wood. As a matter of fact, the materials used in his false teeth were probably more uncomfortable than wood. In one set of teeth, his dentist, Dr. John Greenwood, used a cow’s tooth, one of Washington’s teeth, hippopotamus ivory, metal and springs. They fit poorly and distorted the shape of his mouth.