Page 22 - My FlipBook

XVI PATHOLOGY OF THE HAKD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
nor to physiological or pathological changes in the same sense
in which these occur in soft tissues and the bones, and as they
are amenable to treatment only by artificial repair, it seems
especially fit and desirable that these be considered in a group
to themselves.
Those conditions that occur in the form of malformations or
misbuildings, such as supernumerary teeth, odontomes, mal-
formed teeth, etc., belong to a different class and require totally
different treatment.
The type of dystrophy, which has been commonly designated
as atrophy of the teeth, is met with so frequently in the practice
of operative dentistry, and the injuries of the teeth are often so
severe, that it has seemed to me that the facts gathered by recent
investigations should be placed in permanent form in our litera-
ture. Until very recently little had been accurately known of
the forms of these lesions, and many errors are being made in the
treatment which may be avoided by a closer study of the condi-
tions. While in many cases but little can be done to improve
the appearance of affected incisors, a large proportion of the
first molars which are now lost may be protected and remain
useful in mastication, as well as to serve their full purpose in the
development of the features.
On the subject of erosion, much greater interest is being
manifested in recent years than formerly ; the interest in its
pathology has been increased by recent investigations and the
continuance of these should be stimulated with the hope that its
causation may become more definitely known and some satis-
factory cure or preventive discovered.
The subject of dental caries and its treatment is and must
remain the most important subject in conservative dentistry.
No great improvement in its treatment can be had without
improvement in the understanding of its causation, the condi-
tions of the beginnings of caries of the enamel and the means to
be employed in the prevention of its recurrence about the mar-
gins of fillings. To this end, extensive studies have been made
of this particular phase of the subject with the view of placing
that which is now known in systematized, usable form, for both
students in dental schools and for practitioners. This feature
of operative dentistry has been deemed of so much importance
to the dental profession and to our people that, in writing of
technical procedures in filling teeth, it has been held continuously
before the mind of the student and practitioner by frequent