I just saw a cowboy movie that depicted a dentist working in a barber shop; yuk! I think the drill was turned by his foot kicking a wheel--! The teeth found in the Ekaterinburg remains showed extensive dental work (fillings, crowns) of what was considered high quality work from Germany. The tsar's remains however showed teeth in a deplorable condition with advanced periodontal disease--the TSAR of all the Russias did not patronize the dentist. Wow.
I agree; I've just recently read that orthodontia was performed on Marie Antoinette's teeth during the period of time in which she was being prepped for her life in France. Would love to see examples of that--therefore orthodontia existed during this time period in Russia and the world. Regarding the smiling or unsmiling faces in period photographs--it wasn't done in formal sittings. We're seeing the beginnings of a more relaxed photography with the royals and their off-guard expressions in their Brownie snaps.
