LDBDA : 4872

demonstration model

a case containing 18 examples of teeth showing the different uses of porcelain inlays in restorations and how to prepare teeth for porcelain inlays. Made by William Dall.

Porcelain inlays were heavily promoted by a 19th century dentist, William Dall. Dall was opposed to using amalgam or gold fillings where the material would be visible so began using porcelain inlays in 1886. He was dissatisfied with the colour and fit of the inlays supplied by the dental depots but the porcelain inlays were popular with his patients. Dall developed and lectured on new techniques and equipment to improve all aspects of porcelain inlay work. Claudius Ash and Sons sold porcelain inlay sets and instruments bearing his name. However, problems arose due to Dall's lack of understanding of the histology of tooth enamel as some of the inlay designs did not support the enamel sufficiently.

Dall, William 1880-1900

box wood, leather; box lining velvet; contents porcelain, gold, human tooth, amalgam, glass; length 275mm; height 33mm; width 106mm