The student's guide to dental anatomy and surgery / by Henry Sewill.

  • Sewill, Henry.
Date:
1876
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The student's guide to dental anatomy and surgery / by Henry Sewill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    128/232 (page 112)
    EXPOSURE OF THE PULP. DISEASES OF THE PULP. Exposure of the pulp.—In tlie last section the treat¬ ment of caries uncomplicated with exposure of the pulp was discussed, and the precautions were described which ought to be taken to prevent the laying’ open of the central cavity of the tooth during- the excavation of carious tissue. This event is, however, some¬ times unavoidable, owing to the complete disorgani¬ zation of the dentine. Its occurrence will he known by the characteristic sharp pang which it inflicts, whilst on examination the exposed surface—from which, if wounded, slight bleeding takes place—is visible. If in such a case the pulp be free from disease the operation of “ capping” the pulp, followed by filling, should be performed. The healthiness of the pulp may be inferred from the history of the case, and the absence of the signs and symptoms of irritation and inflammation to be presently mentioned. The object of capping an exposed pulp is to provide a covering which shall protect the sensitive structure from pressure and from changes of temperature. Various materials, such as quill, parchment paper, gold-beaters skin, or thin sheet cork, are used for the purpose by different operators, and either of them answers well. When the exposure is but slight some are content with laying a few folds of gold foil over the surface. The haemorrhage having ceased, the