A description of the mode of using the forceps invented by Mr Fay for the extraction and excision of teeth.

  • Fay, Cyrus.
Date:
[1826?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A description of the mode of using the forceps invented by Mr Fay for the extraction and excision of teeth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/26 (page 6)
    be supposed that the pressure of the piece of wood on the anterior teeth, in loosening the diseased one, would pro¬ duce pain; on the contrary, it is not felt, because the action and re-action are exactly equal between the pres- sure on the jaw and the resistance of the tooth. There are other forceps which I beg leave also to sub¬ mit to the examination of the Society, for a purpose dis¬ tinct from that for which the instruments already described are designed, and before describing them, I will briefly state what they are intended to accomplish. In the centre of every tooth is a little cavitv, in which is expanded a nervous pulp forming the principal seat of sensation in that organ; and the nerves pass through the roots of the tooth by very minute passages into this cavity where they are spread out. The base of this cavity is situated a little above the level of the neck of the tooth, and it struck me, that when caries had extended so far as to expose the nervous matter contained in it to the various agencies from which in the healthy state of the parts it is protected, it would be easy to remove that part of the tooth, the seat of the pain, and thus allow the sound living roots to remain in their sockets undisturbed, to support the adjoining teeth: as it is a notorious fact, that the entire removal of one tooth, however easily performed, causes the adjoining ones to become prematurely loose, and ultimately to fall out, in consequence principally of the absorption of the alveolar process. Minutely to describe how this happens would occupy too much space, and I mention it merely as a well known fact, to show the value of allowing the healthy roots of a tooth to remain. This operation I have called the operation of excision, and I recommend it as a most valuable substitute for the extraction of teeth i