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Plugging the Teeth. 1 13
great measure, have arisen, the exaggerated ideas, which peo-
ple generally entertain as to the pain of dental operations.
Many persons who have experienced these operations, very
much exaggerate the pain of them. They often declare that
they had rather have a tooth pulled than one plugged, as to
the pain they experience. This is wrong, as it serves to im-
press those who have not had operations performed upon their
teeth, with the idea of severe suffering. Many, indeed, are
so apprehensive of this, that, though convinced of the utility
of dental surgery—of the importance and necessity of having
something done to prevent the loss of their teeth, they neglect
them, till many of them are inevitably lost. To such, we
would recommend the resolution to have some one simple
operation -performed, as a favorable tooth plugged, that they
may judge for themselves, as to the severity of the pain they
will probably experience under the operations, and whether
they can submit to it. We have generally found this plan
completely successful; for it is half the task to make a begin-;
ning, and the unfounded fears of the patient quickly vanish
under the management of a skillful operator.
All dental operations, save that of extraction, when early
and properly performed, are generally attended with little
pain, and often, none at all. We never yet saw the patient,
who had rather have a tooth pulled than one plugged, when
he came to the " tug of war-" We
often see this verified
;
for it rarely happens, that there are teeth in the mouth so
much decayed, that they cannot be preserved and are to be
extracted. During the operation of plugging, especially if the
patient is irritable and the teeth uncommonly sensitive, we
frequently hear the exclamation, " I had rather have a tooth
pulled than one plugged," but when the former operation
comes, " I had rather have a dozen teeth plugged than one
pulled."
There is a very great difference in the sensibility of the
teeth of different individuals: some suffer much pain in having
decay extirpated from' their teeth, even far from the nerve
Plugging the Teeth. 1 13
great measure, have arisen, the exaggerated ideas, which peo-
ple generally entertain as to the pain of dental operations.
Many persons who have experienced these operations, very
much exaggerate the pain of them. They often declare that
they had rather have a tooth pulled than one plugged, as to
the pain they experience. This is wrong, as it serves to im-
press those who have not had operations performed upon their
teeth, with the idea of severe suffering. Many, indeed, are
so apprehensive of this, that, though convinced of the utility
of dental surgery—of the importance and necessity of having
something done to prevent the loss of their teeth, they neglect
them, till many of them are inevitably lost. To such, we
would recommend the resolution to have some one simple
operation -performed, as a favorable tooth plugged, that they
may judge for themselves, as to the severity of the pain they
will probably experience under the operations, and whether
they can submit to it. We have generally found this plan
completely successful; for it is half the task to make a begin-;
ning, and the unfounded fears of the patient quickly vanish
under the management of a skillful operator.
All dental operations, save that of extraction, when early
and properly performed, are generally attended with little
pain, and often, none at all. We never yet saw the patient,
who had rather have a tooth pulled than one plugged, when
he came to the " tug of war-" We
often see this verified
;
for it rarely happens, that there are teeth in the mouth so
much decayed, that they cannot be preserved and are to be
extracted. During the operation of plugging, especially if the
patient is irritable and the teeth uncommonly sensitive, we
frequently hear the exclamation, " I had rather have a tooth
pulled than one plugged," but when the former operation
comes, " I had rather have a dozen teeth plugged than one
pulled."
There is a very great difference in the sensibility of the
teeth of different individuals: some suffer much pain in having
decay extirpated from' their teeth, even far from the nerve
