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P. 61
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Irregularities of the Teeth. 41
the removal of which, or the obviating of their effects, requires
an operator having a minute knowledge of the natural history
of the teeth, or of their formation and progress, that he may
have an accurate knowledge of the means proper to be applied
for their remedy.
There is no department of the dental art in which so much
ignorance is betrayed by the generality of operators, as in the
management of the second dentition ; and none in which a lit-
tle timely and judicious management will effect so much. We
assert this from a sense of duty to our subject, and not from
any illiberal feelings entertained towards the members of our
profession. On the contrary, we shall be extremely happy on
all occasions to extend the hand of fellowship to every worthy
member of it.
Most persons think, that all that is required to obviate any
irregularity, is the removal of some obstructing temporary
teeth ; and that this any person can do. But it is a gross er-
ror. Many dentists are in the habit of recommending the ex-
traction of the temporary teeth, previous to the irruption of the
permanent ones ; and parents, indeed, often send their children
to their dentist for the above purpose, thinking thereby to pre-
vent irregularity. Nothing can be more empirical on the part
of the dentist, or injudicious on the part of the parent, than
such a practice—or more contrary to the laws of nature ; be-
sides the revolting cruelty of the practice.
REASONS WHY THE ABOVE PRACTICE IS BAD IN THE
EXTREME.
First, it is contrary to the laws of nature, upon which we
can never infringe with impunity.
Second, there is a connexion existing between the temporary
and the permanent teeth, by means of a cord extending from
the neck of the former to the sack of the latter (see page 26,)
which must be torn asunder, if the temporary teeth be ex-
tracted, before the sack of the permanent one is absorbed
therefore, the extraction of the temporary teeth would be very
Irregularities of the Teeth. 41
the removal of which, or the obviating of their effects, requires
an operator having a minute knowledge of the natural history
of the teeth, or of their formation and progress, that he may
have an accurate knowledge of the means proper to be applied
for their remedy.
There is no department of the dental art in which so much
ignorance is betrayed by the generality of operators, as in the
management of the second dentition ; and none in which a lit-
tle timely and judicious management will effect so much. We
assert this from a sense of duty to our subject, and not from
any illiberal feelings entertained towards the members of our
profession. On the contrary, we shall be extremely happy on
all occasions to extend the hand of fellowship to every worthy
member of it.
Most persons think, that all that is required to obviate any
irregularity, is the removal of some obstructing temporary
teeth ; and that this any person can do. But it is a gross er-
ror. Many dentists are in the habit of recommending the ex-
traction of the temporary teeth, previous to the irruption of the
permanent ones ; and parents, indeed, often send their children
to their dentist for the above purpose, thinking thereby to pre-
vent irregularity. Nothing can be more empirical on the part
of the dentist, or injudicious on the part of the parent, than
such a practice—or more contrary to the laws of nature ; be-
sides the revolting cruelty of the practice.
REASONS WHY THE ABOVE PRACTICE IS BAD IN THE
EXTREME.
First, it is contrary to the laws of nature, upon which we
can never infringe with impunity.
Second, there is a connexion existing between the temporary
and the permanent teeth, by means of a cord extending from
the neck of the former to the sack of the latter (see page 26,)
which must be torn asunder, if the temporary teeth be ex-
tracted, before the sack of the permanent one is absorbed
therefore, the extraction of the temporary teeth would be very
