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Plugging the Teeth. Ill
the plugging securely, the operation will be of little use. If
the tooth he very much decayed, so as badly to expose the
trates the inutility of dental operations, unskillfully or improperly per-
formed, and the prejudicial effect of such operations on community.
November, 1832, called to extract some aching teeth for the
daughters of Mr. . Found many of their teeth decaying : the
young ladies informed me that their teeth were plugged two years
ago by but that the pluggings soon fell out: there were very few
remaining, and these did not protect the teeth from decay, on ac-
count of the imperfection of the operation. After the extraction of the
teeth, represented to Mr. * what might be done for the preservation
of those decaying. He replied to this effect
" Sir you will pardon me when I tell you, I have little faith in the
means you recommend for the preservation of my daughters' teeth. 1
have spared no expense that they might be preserved. They were all
plugged two years since, for -which 1 paid 150 dollars, yet you say the
operations have failed. I believe they have been more injured than bene-
fitted, and that this plugging and filing the teeth break up their struc-
ture and make them decay more rapidly."
Feeling the just reasons for his prejudice, we repressed our rising
indignation, and without further parlance took our leave, regretting ex-
ceedingly that our profession should be disgraced by such imposition.
There is nothing more cutting to the feelings of an honorable mind, than
distrust of its integrity. It cuts to the hearts core. He cannot stifle his
honest indignation. The mercenary wretch bows in humble submission,
and uses his smooth and flattering tongue to effect his purpose.
We think it unfortunate for community, that any man can practice
dentistry who chooses, for it fills the profession With incompetent persons,
who fleece those who employ them without confering any benefit,
but often doing them much injury. The dental profession should be
protected ny legislative anactment : every person before he be permitted
to practice it, should ser^e a term of pupillage, and pass an examination
before a competent board of surgeon dentists; this would fill the profes-
sion with honorable men ; men who would serve their patrons with
fidelity and success ; and that too, at a more reasonable rate, than is paid
by many for the' preservation, or rather destruction of their teeih. We
believe that most persons who have lost their teeth, mighthave hadthem
preserved, at a far less expense, than they have paid for artificial ones.
Dental surgery is now practiced ly the honorable and well educated
members of the profession, in our country in very great perfection, and I
am proud in believing, that it is generally practiced by them better than
in any other.
"In the United States of America, although little or nothing has been
done in the way of publishing upon the subject of Dental Surgery, yet
I feel myself authorized to say, that in no part of the world has this art
attained a more eleva'.ed station.
"The operative part is by far more extensively cultivated, and has
arrived at a state of excellence much greater in that, than in any other
country to my knowledge, but unfortunately this superiority is only to
be found in the practice of a very limited number of men of talents and
principles."— Koecker, page 20.
Plugging the Teeth. Ill
the plugging securely, the operation will be of little use. If
the tooth he very much decayed, so as badly to expose the
trates the inutility of dental operations, unskillfully or improperly per-
formed, and the prejudicial effect of such operations on community.
November, 1832, called to extract some aching teeth for the
daughters of Mr. . Found many of their teeth decaying : the
young ladies informed me that their teeth were plugged two years
ago by but that the pluggings soon fell out: there were very few
remaining, and these did not protect the teeth from decay, on ac-
count of the imperfection of the operation. After the extraction of the
teeth, represented to Mr. * what might be done for the preservation
of those decaying. He replied to this effect
" Sir you will pardon me when I tell you, I have little faith in the
means you recommend for the preservation of my daughters' teeth. 1
have spared no expense that they might be preserved. They were all
plugged two years since, for -which 1 paid 150 dollars, yet you say the
operations have failed. I believe they have been more injured than bene-
fitted, and that this plugging and filing the teeth break up their struc-
ture and make them decay more rapidly."
Feeling the just reasons for his prejudice, we repressed our rising
indignation, and without further parlance took our leave, regretting ex-
ceedingly that our profession should be disgraced by such imposition.
There is nothing more cutting to the feelings of an honorable mind, than
distrust of its integrity. It cuts to the hearts core. He cannot stifle his
honest indignation. The mercenary wretch bows in humble submission,
and uses his smooth and flattering tongue to effect his purpose.
We think it unfortunate for community, that any man can practice
dentistry who chooses, for it fills the profession With incompetent persons,
who fleece those who employ them without confering any benefit,
but often doing them much injury. The dental profession should be
protected ny legislative anactment : every person before he be permitted
to practice it, should ser^e a term of pupillage, and pass an examination
before a competent board of surgeon dentists; this would fill the profes-
sion with honorable men ; men who would serve their patrons with
fidelity and success ; and that too, at a more reasonable rate, than is paid
by many for the' preservation, or rather destruction of their teeih. We
believe that most persons who have lost their teeth, mighthave hadthem
preserved, at a far less expense, than they have paid for artificial ones.
Dental surgery is now practiced ly the honorable and well educated
members of the profession, in our country in very great perfection, and I
am proud in believing, that it is generally practiced by them better than
in any other.
"In the United States of America, although little or nothing has been
done in the way of publishing upon the subject of Dental Surgery, yet
I feel myself authorized to say, that in no part of the world has this art
attained a more eleva'.ed station.
"The operative part is by far more extensively cultivated, and has
arrived at a state of excellence much greater in that, than in any other
country to my knowledge, but unfortunately this superiority is only to
be found in the practice of a very limited number of men of talents and
principles."— Koecker, page 20.
