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ance than the cuspidati ; therefore, when the first temporary
molares are shed, a little room is gained, as the teeth
succeed them are smaller. When the second molares are
shed, still more room is gained ; the two bicuspides go back
against the first permanent molares, and thereby give
suffi-
cient room for the cuspidati. Thus by the change of the
molares of the child which are large, for the bicuspides of
the adult which are small, room is obtained for the increased
size of the permanent incisores and cuspidati.
This change of small teeth for larger, and of larger for
smaller, points out the necessity of giving some assistance to
nature in one of her processes, viz. that of throwing out the
temporary teeth before the permanent teeth appear ; if this
be done at a proper time, the teeth will always take a regu-
lar position, and every deformity arising from irregularity be
prevented.
During the progress of the second dentition, an opportu-
nity presents itself for effecting this desirable object ; but
every thing depends upon a correct knowledge of the time
when a tooth requires to be extracted, and also of the partic-
ular tooth ; for often more injury is occasioned by the re*
moval of a tooth too early, than if it be left a little too long
;
because a new tooth, which has too much room long before
it is required, will sometimes take a direction more difficult
to alter than an irregularity occasioned by an obstruction of
short duration. If an improper tooth be extracted, irrepara-
ble mischief will ensue ; as in the case where young perma-
nent teeth have been removed, instead of the obstructing
temporary ones, which I have several times known to have
been done. As regards the growth of the jaws, &c. I
think Mr. Hunter is a little too restricted in his views. See
observations of Duval on this subject, before mentioned,