Page 982 - My FlipBook

992 DISEASES OF THE PERIDENTAL MEMBRANE.

made necessary by the collection of serumal calculus on the apex of the
root or by the cementum of the apex l>ecoming so infiltrated with the
products of putrefactive processes that it becomes an irritant. In the
first case it is generally best to remove the serumal calculus if this can
be done without too much mutilation of the parts, but I have sometimes
felt that to cut oif the end of the root was the least objectionable of the
two. In the second case the amputation of the apex of the root seems
to be the only remedy. The operation is usually easy of performance
with the fissure-burr. In any case in which this is justifiable there is
usually no difficulty in reaching the root, for the bone covering it is
generally destroyed by disease, so that only the soft tissues are in the
way ; but any margins of bone may readily be removed with the burr
or chisel.
This operation has been recommended by various persons within the
last two decades, but in my hands the percentage of cures of old chronic
abscesses by this means has not been sufficiently great for me to recom-
mend it with much confidence or to affirm that it will be found service-
able in any considerable number of cases ; it should be used as a last
resort only. The operation is usually not very painful and can be
done in a few moments, and is worthy of a trial before giving up
an otherwise valuable tooth.