Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that a medieval Scotsman sported a gold-tinted smile centuries before grillz became a hip-hop fashion statement. A study revealed a 20-carat gold dental bridge found on a jaw from an individual who lived around 500 years ago in Aberdeen, Scotland. This discovery represents the earliest known example of restorative dentistry in Scotland and appears to be the first evidence of gold used in the mouth in the United Kingdom.
Discovery at St Nicholas Kirk
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen re-examined skeletal remains of 100 individuals excavated from St Nicholas Kirk in 2006. Among them, they found a jaw with a gold ligature connecting teeth, with one missing from the centre. This suggests the device acted as a bridge, likely holding a prosthetic tooth or stabilizing a loose one. The individual was a middle-aged man buried between 1460 and 1670. Marks on the teeth indicate the ligature had been in place for a significant time before his death.
Gold Alloy and Craftsmanship
Closer inspection revealed the wire was made from 20-carat gold alloy, probably produced by a local goldsmith. Since dentistry was not officially a profession until the 19th century, the bridge was likely inserted by a semi-skilled practitioner such as a jeweller, barber, or dentatore—specialists in teeth. The researchers noted that the gold ligature was secured using a twist technique.
While the ligature would have been used to stabilise or replace a tooth, experts believe the individual also wore it to enhance his appearance. In a study published in the British Dental Journal, the team wrote: "Given the social importance of an individual's appearance during the Late Medieval and Early Modern era as an outward expression of their moral character, it is likely the rationale for undergoing this procedure extended beyond retaining masticatory abilities and oral function."
Comparison to Modern Grillz
Today, decorative covers over teeth made from gold, silver, or diamonds—colloquially known as grillz—are popular among celebrities like Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne, and Madonna. They emerged in the 1980s as a fashion statement expressing wealth. This medieval example suggests that the desire for a flashy smile is not a modern phenomenon.
Social and Cultural Context
The researchers explained that during the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods, physical appearance was believed to reflect moral character. A person's smile and perceived health were linked to one's sins. Thus, social pressure encouraged those who could afford such treatments to seek them out. The individual was likely a wealthy member of medieval society.
Before dentistry became a profession, tooth-drawers—often carnival performers—travelled offering painless extractions. In early modern Scottish communities, local women provided most healthcare, including tooth pulling, herbal medicine, prayers, and charms. Remedies for toothache included applying heated green turf to the pain site on the Isle of Skye, while accounts from Aberdeen mention a cow dung poultice for abscesses.
Significance of the Find
Of the 100 individuals excavated from the East Kirk of St Nicholas, this was the only one with clear evidence of dental work. The rarity indicates that such procedures were out of reach for most inhabitants of Early Modern Aberdeen. The cost of gold was likely a barrier. The researchers concluded: "As is seen in this case, gold alloy wire was, and still is, a preferred material in restorative and conservative dentistry due to its resistance to corrosion and tarnishing and biocompatibility."
