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212 HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGERY

lines of beauty, as he will have ample opportunity to exercise his art in restor-
ing individuality in a way that defies detection, and thus establish himself as
an artist and an artisan.
"Nothing brings the dentistry of other nations so vividly before us as
their prosthetic work. It tells us much if we only stop to analyze it : every
looth, plate, clasp, post, bar and materials speaks to the dental artists' eye in
a way he can comprehend, and are typical of the profession and time."
It remained for the American dentist to demonstrate practically that
sunken portions of the face could be restored to their original contour by
artificial means without injury to the muscles thus raised, and that such den-
tures could be worn with comfort.
Dr. C. A. Harris sa}s : "Prosthesis constitutes by far the largest and most
difficult part of dentistry, and thus makes it a distinct branch of the art of
medicine, and gives to it the power to add to health, comfort and enjoyment
of life."
"A Popular Treatise on Teeth," written by Spooner of New York, in 18.3G,
says : "Teeth of human beings, animals, ivory, and mineral teeth are used. Of
all animal substances natural teeth are preferred. Mineral teeth closely resem-
ble nature in semi-transparency, color, tints, shape, etc., and it is hoped that
these teeth will soon banish the use of all others. The)' can be mounted on gold
]jlates singly with solder, rivet or screw ; they are also made in blocks with arti-
ficial gums. French teeth are brought here, but the teeth produced here are
greater in perfection than those made in any otiier country. J. R. Spooner,
of Montreal, and myself and partner in New Y''ork make them and they are su-
perior to all others."
"A Treatise on Human Teeth," written by Kelley, of Boston, in 1843, says:
"Ivory, bone, animal and human teeth are used very little now, as mineral teeth
have superseded them; dentists manufacture them for themselves, but there are
some on the market. One factory here employs thirty workmen. I make min-
eral teeth and publish what they are made of, and I make small, narrow, yel-
lowish teeth in imitation of nature. In cases when all the teeth can no longer
be kept in on separate roots, they are set in on a plate, and this is fastened by
two or more pins to the remaining sound roots ; these cannot be taken out by
the wearer. I use clasps and suction plates, and spiral springs."
"A Treatise on Dentistry," written by George Hawes, of New York, in
1846, says: "T use gold plates with clasps, and pivots.
"Atmosplieric pressure or suction plates are good for full cases and good
shaped arclies: this is the most simple and ancient method of any known, but
springs are sometimes used."