Page 425 - My FlipBook

421

under jaw, nothing more is necessary after the removal of
the obstructing tooth, than to apply the frequent pressure of
the finger, in such a manner as to direct the irregular tooth
into its proper place. It will assist the natural tendency of
the teeth to form a regular circle, and to take up as large a
space as possible. But in the upper jaw, when the irregu-
larity has been suffered to remain for any length of time, it
cannot be obviated without having recourse to other assist-
ance.
Irregularity is often occasioned by the teeth being much
too large for the space allotted them, and then it will be ne-
cessary to remove one or more of the permanent teeth.
When the incisores are perfectly regular, and the bicuspi-
des have appeared before the cuspidati, there is so little space
left, that the cuspidati are thrust too far forward.
It has been the common practice to admit the cuspidati to
grow down to a certain length, and them to extract them.
This operation certainly removes the deformity of projecting
teeth, but it destroys the symmetry of the mouth, and takes
away two teeth of great importance. The cuspidati are
exceedingly strong : they form the support of the front of
the mouth, and in the advanced periods of life, to those per-
sons who have the misfortune to lose the incisores, they fur-
nish an excellent means of fixing artificial teeth.
On these accounts they should be preserved, and therefore
it will be right to extract the first bicuspis on each side. The
cuspidati will then fall into the circle, and if there should be
any vacant space, it will be so far back, that no defect will
be perceived. This is often the case in the under jaw, as-
well as in the upper, and the same practice ought to be

adopted.
The first permanent molares often become carious soon
after they appear ; when this is the case, and the other teeth