Page 362 - My FlipBook
P. 362
: ,
358
the enamel is deposited ; and the enamel being deposit-
ed on the ruffled membrane, had, necessarily, assumed the
The cases occurred in the family of Mr. M—
same shape.
a respectable mechanic from London. He extracted the
teeth of his two oldest children (sons) when they were quite
young, and the permanent teeth of both had the appearance
I have mentioned. This induced him, at the suggestion of the
mother, in the two succeeding children which he had, to
leave their teeth to nature ; consequently, he did not extract
them until quite loose, and the result was, that the perma-
nent teeth of the two last children were perfectly smooth
and beautiful. This narration I had from several members
of the family, who perfectly concurred in their statements of
it. The deciduous teeth seem to serve, in some degree, as a
guide to the growth of the permanent set, as these last are
apt to be irregular if the first are extracted too soon ; conse-
quently, they should not be extracted, unless under the limi-
tations before mentioned. It is of the greatest consequence
that the person having the care of children should know pre-
cisely the order in which the permanent teeth appear, and
what deciduous teeth should be removed to give place to the
second set. Mr. Fox, speaking upon this subject says, " eve-
ry thing depends upon a correct knowledge of the time
when a tooth requires to be extracted, and also of the par-
ticular 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 a slight irregularity occasioned by an obstruc-
tion of short duration. If an improper tooth be extracted
irreparable mischief will ensue ; as in the case when young
permanent teeth have been removed instead of the obstruct-
ing temporary ones, which I have several times known to
358
the enamel is deposited ; and the enamel being deposit-
ed on the ruffled membrane, had, necessarily, assumed the
The cases occurred in the family of Mr. M—
same shape.
a respectable mechanic from London. He extracted the
teeth of his two oldest children (sons) when they were quite
young, and the permanent teeth of both had the appearance
I have mentioned. This induced him, at the suggestion of the
mother, in the two succeeding children which he had, to
leave their teeth to nature ; consequently, he did not extract
them until quite loose, and the result was, that the perma-
nent teeth of the two last children were perfectly smooth
and beautiful. This narration I had from several members
of the family, who perfectly concurred in their statements of
it. The deciduous teeth seem to serve, in some degree, as a
guide to the growth of the permanent set, as these last are
apt to be irregular if the first are extracted too soon ; conse-
quently, they should not be extracted, unless under the limi-
tations before mentioned. It is of the greatest consequence
that the person having the care of children should know pre-
cisely the order in which the permanent teeth appear, and
what deciduous teeth should be removed to give place to the
second set. Mr. Fox, speaking upon this subject says, " eve-
ry thing depends upon a correct knowledge of the time
when a tooth requires to be extracted, and also of the par-
ticular 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 a slight irregularity occasioned by an obstruc-
tion of short duration. If an improper tooth be extracted
irreparable mischief will ensue ; as in the case when young
permanent teeth have been removed instead of the obstruct-
ing temporary ones, which I have several times known to
