Volume 2

The principles and practice of dentistry : including anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics, dental surgery and mechanism / by Chapin A. Harris.

  • Harris, Chapin A. (Chapin Aaron), 1806-1860.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles and practice of dentistry : including anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics, dental surgery and mechanism / by Chapin A. Harris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    14/266 (page 344)
    for the relief of which the interposition of art not unfrequently be- comes necessary, and it is fortunate for the well-being of man that it can in so many instances be applied with success. In sound and healthy constitutions the services of the dentist are seldom required to assist or direct second dentition. In remarking upon this subject, Dr. Koecker observes, that the children for whom the assistance of a dentist is most frequently sought are those who are in delicate, or at least imperfect, constitutional health; in whom the state not only of the temporary teeth, but of the permanent also, is to be considered, and where both are found to be diseased the future health and regularity of the latter require the greatest consideration of the surgeon. Irregularity of the teeth is one of their chief predisposing causes of disease, and never fails, even in the most healthy constitutions, to destroy, sooner or later, the strongest and best set of teeth unless pro- perly attended to. It is thus not only a most powerful cause of destruc- tion to the health and beauty of the teeth, but also to the regularity and pleasing symmetry of the features of the face , always producing, though slowly and gradually, some irregularity, and not unfrequently the most surprising and disgusting appearance. Though nature is generally able to accomplish the task assigned her, yet there are times when she requires aid, and it is then, and then only, that the services of the dentist are needed. Therefore, whilst on the one hand we should guard against any uncalled-for interference, we should on the other always be ready to give such assistance as the nature of the disturbance presented to our notice may require. The progress of' caries in the temporary teeth is very rapid, as a general rule, owing to the large proportion of organic matter compared with the inorganic. Alveolar abscess is, therefore, a common result of the loss of vitality, and the absorption of the alveolar processes from such a cause may expose the apex of the root of one or more temporary teeth. In the case of the necrosed roots of the superior incisors presenting such a condition, and it is necessary that such teeth should be pre- served in order to prevent an irregular arrangement of the succeeding permanent ones, which is very prone to occur from the premature loss of the temporary teeth, the exposed ends of the roots of the necrosed temporary teeth may be excised and carefully rounded off with the file or corundum point. By such a method the necrosed teeth may be retained in the mouth until the period of shedding has arrived, and the space necessary for the reception of the corresponding permanent teeth be preserved. The eruption of the permanent teeth begins before any of the tem-