History of the Tooth Key

What is a Tooth Key? The tooth key, also known as a dental key, was used in dentistry to extract diseased teeth. The original design from the 1700s featured a straight shaft that exerted too much pressure on the tooth next to the one being extracted. A newer design in 1765 featured a slightly bent shaft. The MHC's tooth key is from the 1800s.

How Does it Work? Modeled after a door key, the tooth key was used by first inserting the instrument horizontally into the mouth, its claw tightened over a tooth and then rotated to loosen the tooth.

How to Learn More

Schedule a Tour: Contact the MHC to schedule a tour. Email us at mhcmail@osumc.edu, or call us at (614) 292-3275. We are located in Columbus, Ohio.

More to Come: Watch for more Curator's Top 25 artifact highlights throughout the rest of 2022!

Medical Heritage Center Contact Information

The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library
5th Floor, Prior Hall
376 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-3275
go.osu.edu/mhc