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50 PATHOLOGY OF THE HARD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
broke, leaving the roots in position. During all of this time, the
margins of the cut at their junction with the enamel surface
were sharp, presenting no observable rounding. I have observed
this in the molars and bicuspids in several cases, and usually
the teeth have been extremely sensitive. One gentleman had
all of his molars removed from the upper jaw because of the pain
they gave him in chewing food and in any effort to clean his teeth.
The selection of cases for illustration has been confined to
a few which seem to represent the more typical varieties of
form. Variations from these, however, are constantly coming
up, almost every new case presenting characters peculiar to
itself. Many of them, even when the teeth are badly cut and
deformed, are so clean and white that the deformity is scarcely
noticeable a few feet away. But occasionally we see cases that
give a very bad appearance.
Etiology of Erosion.
The cause of erosion is involved in the utmost obscurity.
Most observers seem to have drawn their opinions of its caus-
ation from the observation of the circumstances attending a
comparatively small number of cases coming under their per-
sonal observation. As the cases differ very materially in form
of affected areas and surroundings, these views differ with
the groups of cases observed. These opinions may be found in
the literature reaching back some two hundred years. I may,
perhaps, give a better and more condensed idea of this by group-
ing these opinions into classes, than by extensive quotations. I
will follow in some degree the order in which they have been
prominent in the literature. They may be thus summarized
(1.) Erosion is a result of faults in the formation of the
tissues during the growth of the teeth; conditions in after life
have little or nothing to do with it.
(2.) Erosion is caused by friction, most generally of the
tooth brush carrying some abrasive tooth powder.
(3.) Erosion is the result of the action of an acid in some
way, as yet unknown to us.
(4.) Erosion is the direct result of the action of a secretion
of certain diseased glands in the mucous membranes that lie
directly upon the areas being eroded. This secretion is gen-
erally claimed to be acid in its reaction.
(5.) Erosion is a process of absorption similar to that of
the removal of the roots of deciduous teeth or the occasional
absorption of the roots of the permanent teeth. The absorbing
50 PATHOLOGY OF THE HARD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
broke, leaving the roots in position. During all of this time, the
margins of the cut at their junction with the enamel surface
were sharp, presenting no observable rounding. I have observed
this in the molars and bicuspids in several cases, and usually
the teeth have been extremely sensitive. One gentleman had
all of his molars removed from the upper jaw because of the pain
they gave him in chewing food and in any effort to clean his teeth.
The selection of cases for illustration has been confined to
a few which seem to represent the more typical varieties of
form. Variations from these, however, are constantly coming
up, almost every new case presenting characters peculiar to
itself. Many of them, even when the teeth are badly cut and
deformed, are so clean and white that the deformity is scarcely
noticeable a few feet away. But occasionally we see cases that
give a very bad appearance.
Etiology of Erosion.
The cause of erosion is involved in the utmost obscurity.
Most observers seem to have drawn their opinions of its caus-
ation from the observation of the circumstances attending a
comparatively small number of cases coming under their per-
sonal observation. As the cases differ very materially in form
of affected areas and surroundings, these views differ with
the groups of cases observed. These opinions may be found in
the literature reaching back some two hundred years. I may,
perhaps, give a better and more condensed idea of this by group-
ing these opinions into classes, than by extensive quotations. I
will follow in some degree the order in which they have been
prominent in the literature. They may be thus summarized
(1.) Erosion is a result of faults in the formation of the
tissues during the growth of the teeth; conditions in after life
have little or nothing to do with it.
(2.) Erosion is caused by friction, most generally of the
tooth brush carrying some abrasive tooth powder.
(3.) Erosion is the result of the action of an acid in some
way, as yet unknown to us.
(4.) Erosion is the direct result of the action of a secretion
of certain diseased glands in the mucous membranes that lie
directly upon the areas being eroded. This secretion is gen-
erally claimed to be acid in its reaction.
(5.) Erosion is a process of absorption similar to that of
the removal of the roots of deciduous teeth or the occasional
absorption of the roots of the permanent teeth. The absorbing
