Page 130 - My FlipBook

110 Curative Treatment of Caries.
elude all moisture and the atmosphere. If the cavity be un-
favorable for filling, or cannot be made so that it shall retain

Clasps which are too small or grasp too firmly, produce the same effect,
and also occasion the teeth to decay, and often to become so exquisitively
sensitive, that the artifical teeth cannot be worn, or with great incon-
venience. We see the effects of these mal-practices illustrated every
day. We have two such cases on hand at '.his time. In one case, the
four incisor teeth were attached to the eye teeth, and was done by a first
rate mechanical dentist, and beautifully executed, but unfortunately for
his patient, he knew nothing of the laws of the animal economy. The
effects of pressure in '.ess than two years, has caused the ruin of the
teeth to which they were attached. The other is a similar instance of
mal-practice. it is a common observation among mechanical dentists,
"that plates are ruin to the teeih." The reason is, that they do not
properly adapt their plates and teeth to the parts. They do not make
them fit so as not to exert too much pressure, for pressure applied to any
part of the animal frame, will cause changes to take place in such part.
We have seen individuals who have been obliged to have cases made
at different times, in consequence of the loss of teeth, to which the arti-
fical ones were attached, caused by the improper manner of attaching
them. Is it not evident then, that to practice even mechanical dentistry
as it should be, requires a man possessing considerable knowledge of the
laws which govern the human system?
The treatment of the diseases of the gums, sockets, and maxillary
hones, which fall under the care of the dentist, in order to effect a cure,
requires considerable knowledge of medicine and surgery. The igno-
rant person does not, and cannot treat these diseases with success. His
treatment only aggravates them.
We trust that enough has been said to show that dentistry, in order to
prove of utility, must be practiced on principles of science and integrity.
Every pirt of our country is overrun with ignorant and pretending
persons, who assume to discharge the functions and duties of this
profession; an I having dignified their names with the title of Doc-
tor, they travel about the country, imposing upon the people, doing
their teeth a vast deal of injury, in consequence of which the profession
is degraded, and public confidence to its utility almost wholly de-
stroyed.
Nor are these sapients confined to the country; they abound in our
lar^e towns also. There are 70 or 80 dentists in New York. Out of
these Mr. Par tnly informed rne that he thought there were about 20
who understood their profession, and practiced it fai;hful)y.
When we consider these facts, it is not at all surprising, that so many
of our citizens should distrust the utility of dental surgery, and that so
many opinions should prevail on the subject. Quackery in any
country, depends upon community. If it be patronized it will flourish.
The opinion which very many Dersons entertain, that dentistry is wholly
a mechanical art, and that it does not require much science to practice
it, is highly conducive to charlatanism, and leads many to be imposed
upon.
The following case, which occurred to us sometime ago, aptly ulus-