Page 419 - My FlipBook

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ces will permit, our time, state of the gums, &c. In some
cases, when there are no teeth to be extracted, or but one or
two, we may remove the tartar and then extract the one or
two teeth, at the same sitting. If the gums are much swollen
and do not bleed much after the extraction and removing
the tartar, we may, in some cases, scarify them, and give our
patients an astringent wash for the gums, with cautions as to
taking cold, &c. with directions to call as the state of the
gums may be, in about one week, when we may remove any
remaining tartar, if any is still retained upon the tooth. At
the third sitting, generally, we may commence the operation
of plugging what teeth we find require it in order to be ren-
dered sound. As a general principle, we should not plug
more than two or three teeth at one sitting. Our patient
should then be dismissed, to call again in about a week, and
so continue the course of operations until all the teeth re-
quiring it are plugged. If the nerves of any we wish to
preserve are exposed, we should, as before directed, put
them in a course of preparation, that they may, eventually,
be plugged. After having restored the teeth and gums to
perfect health, with, perhaps, the exception of those which
are in a state of preparation, and may be considered in
health and soundness, and removed all vestige of unhealthy
irritability from the gums and lining membranes of the sock-
ets and of the teeth, we may proceed cautiously with the
file and cutters to remove the superficial caries from the
teeth, if there is any present. This too should be done at
intervals, and with the utmost care, so as not to excite an
irritable state of the teeth and gums by the injudicious use of
the file. With the complete removal of the superficial ca-
ries, if properly and judiciously done, will the health of our
patient's teeth and gums be completely restored. If, after
any of these operations, as, for instance, plugging any of the