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Irregularities of the Teeth. 43
be extracted kaphazzard ; let nature alone, if she is able to per-
form her intents, for all her operations are perfection, if no
casualty makes her deviate from her course : but if any of the
causes before enumerated do obstruct the progress of the per-
manent teeth, it is right and necessary to interfere. Whenever
the following circumstances are found to exist at the period of
the second dentition, we may with tolerable certainty form a
favorable prognosis, as to the ultimate regularity of the teeth.
First, if the parents of the child have regular teeth and have
not required the assistance of art to make them so ; for this is
an indication that the maxillary arch is well developed in the
parents, and argues the probability of its being so in the child.
Second, if the temporary teeth stand a little asunder, and
especially, if they were originally crowded ; as this shows that
the practice highly improper, as irregularities are often caused thereby
and that the temporary molar teeth should never be extracted for tooth-
ache, unle3sit proceed from inflammation, ulceration and the formation of
gum biles; in which case, they should be removed for fear -of mischief
to the permanent teeth, which are being formed underneath them, as
well as to rid the child of pain, incurable by other means.
First, reasons have been previously given why the temporary teeth
should not be extracted without occasion. (See pages 26 and 41.)
Second, the principal and more important reason is, that if the poste-
rior temporary molar teeth be extracted, the first four permanent molares
which the child usually gets at six or seven years of age, will be very
apt to come forward, so as partially to occupy their places ; the conse-
quence will be permanent irregularity; for there will not be room ante-
rior to the permanent molares, for the permanent teeth springing from
the temporary incisores, cuspidati and bicuspides ; and as the incisores
and bicuspides come in before the cuspidati, the irregularity will be very
apt to happen to the latter teeth, to remedy which, will require the sacr
rifice of the four posterior permanent bicuspides.
We universally destroy the nerves of the temporary molar teeth for
the cure of the tooth-ache, in preference to extraction ; and recommend
the nurse to keep them stopped with gum mastic, or stop them ourselves
with cement. The mastic answers a veiy good purpose, as it is insoluble
in water, though the secretions of the mouth readily act upon it : it may
easily be introduced into a hollow tooth after being softened in warm
water.
The nerves of the teeth may be destroyed as a general rule, without pain,
-and without the least danger, by means of a very little arsenic, as will
be seen under the head " of stopping or plugging the teeth."
Besides the prevention of the consequences before mentioned by the
practice we recommend, the child often keeps teeth highly useful for
mastication.
Irregularities of the Teeth. 43
be extracted kaphazzard ; let nature alone, if she is able to per-
form her intents, for all her operations are perfection, if no
casualty makes her deviate from her course : but if any of the
causes before enumerated do obstruct the progress of the per-
manent teeth, it is right and necessary to interfere. Whenever
the following circumstances are found to exist at the period of
the second dentition, we may with tolerable certainty form a
favorable prognosis, as to the ultimate regularity of the teeth.
First, if the parents of the child have regular teeth and have
not required the assistance of art to make them so ; for this is
an indication that the maxillary arch is well developed in the
parents, and argues the probability of its being so in the child.
Second, if the temporary teeth stand a little asunder, and
especially, if they were originally crowded ; as this shows that
the practice highly improper, as irregularities are often caused thereby
and that the temporary molar teeth should never be extracted for tooth-
ache, unle3sit proceed from inflammation, ulceration and the formation of
gum biles; in which case, they should be removed for fear -of mischief
to the permanent teeth, which are being formed underneath them, as
well as to rid the child of pain, incurable by other means.
First, reasons have been previously given why the temporary teeth
should not be extracted without occasion. (See pages 26 and 41.)
Second, the principal and more important reason is, that if the poste-
rior temporary molar teeth be extracted, the first four permanent molares
which the child usually gets at six or seven years of age, will be very
apt to come forward, so as partially to occupy their places ; the conse-
quence will be permanent irregularity; for there will not be room ante-
rior to the permanent molares, for the permanent teeth springing from
the temporary incisores, cuspidati and bicuspides ; and as the incisores
and bicuspides come in before the cuspidati, the irregularity will be very
apt to happen to the latter teeth, to remedy which, will require the sacr
rifice of the four posterior permanent bicuspides.
We universally destroy the nerves of the temporary molar teeth for
the cure of the tooth-ache, in preference to extraction ; and recommend
the nurse to keep them stopped with gum mastic, or stop them ourselves
with cement. The mastic answers a veiy good purpose, as it is insoluble
in water, though the secretions of the mouth readily act upon it : it may
easily be introduced into a hollow tooth after being softened in warm
water.
The nerves of the teeth may be destroyed as a general rule, without pain,
-and without the least danger, by means of a very little arsenic, as will
be seen under the head " of stopping or plugging the teeth."
Besides the prevention of the consequences before mentioned by the
practice we recommend, the child often keeps teeth highly useful for
mastication.
