Name/TitleEquipment: DOX Denture Grinder

About this objectWood box with hinged lid, metal label nailed to front near clasps ‘DOX denture grinder’. The equipment inside is enamelled cream and polished steel apparatus for "grinding in" a set of opposing dentures. A red painted metal tag reads ‘The improved DOX denture grinder’.

A paper label glued into the lid describes the Machine No “25”, date of purchase “12.10.50” Manufactured by D Oliphant, Dulwich, South Australia.

The Dox denture grinder was originally invented by HTJ Edwards in 1933. It was a hand operated machine to ‘grind in’ the bite of full upper and full lower dentures. It often happens when dentures are made, they don’t fit together entirely correctly and need selective grinding to make them functional.

Date Made1950

Place MadeAdelaide, Australia

Medium and Materialswood case with metal furnishings, steel and enamel

Measurements26cm x 15cm x 21cm

Subject and Association DescriptionThe Dox denture grinder was originally invented by HTJ Edwards in 1933. Born in 1897, Edwards was one of six who were the first graduates of the University of Adelaide Dental school in 1921. He was Honorary Dental Surgeon at Royal Adelaide Hospital from 1924 to 1948 and Lecturer at University of Adelaide from 1923 until 1960.

Extract from Dr Myhill's 'Dentistry in 1940's' article:
"In Prosthetic Dentistry we were mainly taught by Dr. Jack Edwards and I believe we were given a sound teaching at the time. He had invented the Dox Grinder which was marvellous for giving an even occlusion when you stuffed up the bite. The FUFL was mounted on the Dox which was like an articulator with a handle. Valve grinding paste was placed between the teeth and the handle of the machine turned and the teeth would rotate against each other, remove the initial contacts and give a balanced but flat occlusion. It was the panacea for all FUFL’s with occlusal discrepancies."

Object TypeEquipment

Object numberAR#3802