Page 877 - My FlipBook

CAPPING OF THE DENTAL PULP. 887

than exposures capped by myself, and have not inckided cases in which
I have had certain knowledge of the state of the pulp at the time of
capping by others ; but from the gross examination of clinical cases I
have no doubt that, with the exception of the nature of the deposit, the
general pathological changes are the same as those seen in very slow or
stationary caries ; that is, function becomes more and more irregular or
abnormal until the pulp fails entirely.
Very many cases of capping pass on for years without any deposit
whatever, and seem to remain in a perfectly healthy condition. This
we must regard as the most desirable resulj: that can be obtained.
Enough of these cases have been noted to demonstrate the possibility
of rendering the conditions so nearly normal that no disturbance of the
functions of the organ occurs.
In relation to the symptomatology of the dental pulp more exact
information is to be desired, especially as to the differential diagnosis
of its different states. This will require that cases of known history
be prepared in large number for microscopic examination and the
results classified. The old plan of judging of the condition of the pulp
by the symptoms presented is of but little scientific value until we shall
have more direct knowledge of the conditions by which the symptoms
are produced ; and this can be gained only by the methods of study
indicated.