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An improvement has come over Phenician work however, and bands of gold instead of wire are used for holding artificial teeth in place. Guerini, whose "History of Dentistry" is the standard work on the subject, on a commission from the Italian government, carefully studied these specimens of Etruscan dental work in the museums of Italy, and has made some interesting observations on them.
I tell you my sentiments, because you desired to know them, and hope you will receive them with some partiality, as coming from "Your most affectionate mother." One of Lady Mary's friends was Cardinal Gerolamo Guerini, a distinguished scholar as well as a great churchman.
As noted by Guerini in his "History of Dentistry," the translation of which was published under the auspices of the National Dental Association of the United States of America, Chauliac recognized the dentists as specialists.
When teeth become loose he advises that they be fastened to the healthy ones with a gold chain. Guerini suggests that he evidently means a gold wire. If the teeth fall out they may be replaced by the teeth of another person or with artificial teeth made from oxbone, which may be fixed in place by a fine metal ligature. He says that such teeth may be serviceable for a long while.
In one specimen, which is especially notable, two incisor teeth are replaced by a single tooth from a calf. This was grooved in such a way as to make it seem like two separate teeth. Guerini suggests a very interesting and quite unexpected source for this. While examining the specimen he wondered where the old Etruscan dentist had obtained a calf's tooth without a trace of wear on it.
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