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are passed into the stumps of teeth, having the brown of a
tooth attached to them, and may be done in this way so as
to be perfectly firm, and remain useful to the patient many
years. We sometimes fasten several teeth united in a block
upon one or two stumps. The advantages of this mode
over every other, is, I believe, now generally admitted.
Clasps, springs, and plates united, may be worn with the
greatest pleasure, but the stump is the better mode if sound
and firm ; if not, pivots should never be fastened in them.

Of the Materials for Pivots.

Pivots are made of gold, silver, and of wood. The me-
tallic pivots are far better than any other, and their only ob-
jection is, that they are apt to wear the tooth which is placed
upon them, and the stump in which they are inserted ; and so
much so do they have this effect, that we are induced to use
pivots of wood. This last has the advantage, if perfectly
seasoned, of swelling in the stump, by the moisture which
they absorb, and in this way become very firm. The advan-
tages and disadvantages of the two kinds, are perhaps nearly
balanced. If we choose to use wood, the best seasoned hick-
ory is what is now used, when wood is used at all. The wood
has the advantage of being fastened to a much weaker stump
than the metallic pivot. The decision in individual cases must
depend on circumstances, and be determined by the judicious
dentist. Metallic pivots are usually formed into screws by
a screw plate, &c.