Page 132 - My FlipBook

112 Curative Treatment of Caries.
nerve, the operation must often be unsuccessful. If the opera-
tion be not properly performed, it is, at best, of little use, and
often of positive injury. Hence ignorant persons and impos-
tors do injury to community, and degrade the dental profession
below its deserved standing.
As soon as a tooth begins to decay, the disease should be af
once extirpated, and if necessary the cavity filled. There are
great advantages to be derived from this procedure ; for inci-
pient decay, especially of the front teeth, may often be effec-
tually eradicated without the operation of plugging! If it be
necessary to plug the tooth, the decay can be cut away, with
proper instruments, in a short time, often with little or no pain
to the patient, and the operation is always sure of complete
success, if properly performed. There will be ho inconven-
ience experienced afterwards, and the patient will feel his
teeth sound, as though nothing had been done to them.
It is a great mistake with most individuals, that they do not
apply to the dentist early enough, to obtain the greatest possi-
ble benefit from his art. Many do not think of the preserva-
tion of their teeth, till tooth ache, a faithful monitor of the
future, compels them to seek relief, when perhaps some of
them may have so much decayed, that little can be done for
their preservation ; or at least, the operations are much more
tedious and painful, and not so sure of success. Hence, in a

The few well educated members of our profession, in New York,
have been using their best endeavors to elevate it to its proper rank and
uselulness. For this purpose, a " Society of Surgeon Dentists," has
been formed, for the honorable and laudable purpose of mutual im-
provement.
The society has organized itself, a library is being established, and a
course of lectures on the subject of the profession is anually to be de-
livered.
It is also the intention of the society to petition the State Legislature,
as soon as proper, for the passage of a law, to put down quackery, by
making it necessary for those who would practice dental surgery, to
thoroughly understand the profession, and to pass a regular examina-
tion before a competent board of surgeon dentists ; also for a charter te
found an institution for qualifying students to practice dentistry. Which
measures if adopted and put into execution, will prove of incalculable
Sdvantage to the community.