How did ancient peoples modify teeth by removing, filing, or sharpening them?

Ancient peoples practiced various forms of dental modification for aesthetic, social, or ritualistic purposes. These practices were distinct from medical dentistry, which focused on health and restoration.12

Methods of modification included:

• Removal: The extraction of one or more incisors was a common practice among various groups, including ancient peoples in Peru, many Australian Aborigines, and certain populations in Africa and Melanesia.1
• Sharpening and Filing: Teeth were often shaped into points or specific patterns. In Africa, this was typically achieved through chipping, while in ancient Mexico and Central America, filing was the primary method. In Indonesia, the surface of the teeth was sometimes filed to create relief designs.1
• Other Alterations: Beyond shaping, modifications included the incrustation of teeth with precious stones or metals (found in Southeast Asia, India, ancient Mexico, and Ecuador), the insertion of pegs between teeth (India), and the blackening of teeth (practiced in South India, Myanmar, and among some Malaysian groups).1

These modifications served as significant cultural markers, reflecting the diverse ways societies have historically altered the human body to convey identity or status.1