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186 PATHOLOGY OF THE HARD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
is very generally temporary. Such a condition occasionally fol-
lows the use of mercury, iodin and some other medicines that
affect these parts prominently. In filling operations during the
continuance of such a condition, the peridental membranes are
apt to be more sensitive than normal to the mallet.
(3.) Hypertrophy of the gingiva?, in which occasionally
much thickening occurs, covering much more of the gingival por-
tion of the crowns of the teeth than normal.
(4.) Recession of gum about the necks of the teeth on the
labial surfaces, often without other appearance of disease, but
sometimes with a surrounding area of inflammation. This occurs
most frequently on the cuspids, upper or lower.
(5.) Simple gingivitis of local origin.
Calcic inflammation of the gums and peridental mem-
(6.)
branes. This is a result of deposits of salivary calculus close
against the free margins of the gums, or serumal calculus under
the free margins. If such calculus is removed before consider-
able injury has been done and carefully kept from accumulating
again, no considerable harm results. If neglected, the peri-
dental membranes may be destroyed and the teeth lost.
(7.) Inflammation beginning at the gingival border of the
peridental membrane, with pus forming and destroying the mem-
brane in the form of pockets extending lengthwise the roots of
the teeth. (Phagedenic pericementitis.) This form of disease,
when once established, is so difficult to cure that the most careful
examination should be made in cases in which there is reason to
suspect disease of these membranes. In phagedenic pericemen-
titis, pus is generally exuded from about the gingivae by pressure
of the finger over the part, but is sometimes not clearly observ-
able. The peridental membrane and alveolar process is slowly
destroyed, usually in the form of deep pockets, which may be
found by exploration with a smooth-end flat blade, otherwise
similar in form to the push scalers. These are generally confined
to one side of the root of the tooth, as the proximal, lingual,
labial, or buccal, until very considerable progress has been made,
and there is a general tendency for the tooth to move away from
the diseased side. Often when a pocket forms on the proximal
side of the root, the teeth will separate a little ; if on the lingual
side of the upper incisors, the teeth will protrude, etc. When
such movements of the teeth are observed, one should expect to
find disease of this form. In the mind of the general profession
these different forms of disease, beginning at the gingivae, seem
to be confused under the term "Pyorrhea Alveolaris." Any of