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Extraction of Roots and Stumps of Teeth.

It should be a general rule with us never to allow any
loose or useless stumps of teeth to remain in the mouth, but
to extract them ; and for this purpose we require instruments
entirely different from those used for the extraction of the
teeth themselves. When the stump of a tooth is sufficiently
long and firm to be taken hold of with the forceps, we may
extract them with the forceps, but in a great many cases we
cannot use them. It is extremely difficult to give any writ-
ten description of the instruments used by dentists for the
extraction of stumps and roots of teeth. There are two
general shapes, one set having their ends bent like hooks, by
which we are enabled to take hold of the stumps and ex-
tract them, and in many cases with the most perfect success.
Another set have their ends, terminating in a pyramidal
shape, like the " levier pyramidal" of M. La Forgue, and oth-
ers of different shapes from these, like punches. Success in
the use of these instruments, depends very much on the skill
of the operator ; and the greatest care is required in perform-
ing the operations with these instruments, as, if they slip from
the stump, and the operator is not on his guard, the tongue,
lips, gums, or cheeks, are liable to be wounded, or injury may
be done to the other teeth. These instruments should be
made of well tempered steel, with sharp edges, but should
not be so slender or hard as to break in using them. Pre-
viously to using these instruments, the gums should be sep-
arated from the roots or stumps, as we directed in extract-
In extracting the stumps of teeth, no certain
ing the teeth.
direction can be given, whether we shall attempt to bring the
all must depend upon the
stump into the mouth or outside ;
skill and judgment of the operator. The situation of the
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