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The Perfect Gift for Your Dentist – A Tooth!

When I saw a class offering of an origami tooth at the 2011 Origami USA convention in New York, I jumped at the opportunity to learn a great model. It’s perfect to give to my dentist as a gift.

This origami tooth is Marc Kirschenbaum’s creation. Marc is a prolific origami designer and book author who shares his work on his website Sakura Origami,  and who has generously granted me permission to demonstrate the folding of this model in the following video.

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I like the tooth’s folding sequence because of its pleasing symmetry and the potential for making variations leading to the creation of other models. For example, when turned upside down, I imagine folding it into a basket or container.

An origami molar I folded out of ivory color Stardream® paper is now sitting on a shelf in the studio waiting for my next dental appointment. I will let you know how my dentist reacts. At the least I hope he gives me a big smile!

If you give your dentist an origami tooth, share with us their reaction!

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24 thoughts on “The Perfect Gift for Your Dentist – A Tooth!”

  1. PLEASE could i have a step by step instruction in words? id like to teach this at a dental seminar… i’m sure it would be such a hit!

    Reply
  2. I did a set of these for my dentist friend. He doesn’t pull teeth so getting some paper ones in a jar was a thrill for him. I even did one of the teeth in gold foil paper. It sits on his desk and is one of his favorite origami treasures.

    Reply
  3. I want to create this art, but I was hoping to make a smaller version. Is it possible to use a 5×5 sheet of paper instead of 7×7?

    Reply
      • The first one that I made was from a square cut from a sheet of copy paper; 8.5 x 11 inches. Your instructions were very clear, as always, thank you! Then I made another one from memory. The third one that I made was from a square left over from the strip trimmed from the copy paper, or 2.5 square, which turned out to be closer to life sized. It was trickier to fold & I used the end of a skinny paint brush to help open it up.

        Reply
  4. Thank you for posting this video. I made a tooth for my dentist. He seemed genuinely pleased, even bringing it out of his office for a follow-up appointment I had. He noted the many folds, and was interested in the connection between origami and mathematics. your considerable teaching skills made it possible to brighten his day.

    Reply
  5. Pingback: How to fold an Origami Tooth / Molar Muela | Origami Things
  6. Thanks so much for posting this! And thanks to the author for giving you permission to post the how-to video. I knew when I read about this on the origami list that I wanted to make one for my dentist. Here’s a pic of mine in the car outside of her office: http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsc5auEBoM1qhgah3o1_500.png

    She absolutely LOVED it! Her assistant (and hygienist in the adjacent room) thought that it was really amazing. They are proudly displaying it on a shelf in her office.

    Paper used: natural white WOVE 25% cotton 90 g/m²

    Reply
    • Hi Barb, don’t despair if it does not come out on the first tries. You might want to leave it for a few days and try again. Many times our brain works things out in unconscious ways. What is important is that you don’t give up!

      Reply

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