Page 145 - My FlipBook

COkKKCTIOX OF DENTAL IRREOrLARITIES. 1 33
to make the arms is to use a couple of old dental cxcavatcM's.
Flatten the ends which are to be embedded, and curve them
carefnlh', ^^o that they will pass out of the month and ex-
tend backward without pressing hard on the corners of the
mouth, and terminate near the angle of the ja\v. The flat-
tened ends should be made quite br(^ad, and be thoroughly
emljeddcd in the splint, as much strain comes upr)n them.
Fig. 89 represents this form of splint.

APPLIANCES FOR THE CORRECTION OF
DENTAL IRREGULARITIES.

Orthodontia is that branch of dental science which per-
tains to the correction of irregularity or malocclusion of the
human teeth.
The growth of this branch of dental practice requires
special study, investigation, and training in order to success-
fully practice it along advanced lines ; every student should
therefore make himself thoroughly familiar with the sub-
ject before attempting its practice.
Our purpose here is to introduce a few^ of the more
important methods involved, with the manner of construct-
ing the appliances, as a stepping stone for students to the
study of the more exhaustive works.
Mechanical Forces.—The operator in this field of prac-
tice has an opportunity to utilize his knowledge of physics
and the laws of mechanics. As a very able writer. Dr.
Eugene Talbot, says : These laws are founded upon the
action of simple elements which are interposed between the
moving power and the resistance, for the purpose of chang-
ing the direction of the force. These are called mechanical
powers, and are divided into two primary elements, the
lever and the inclined plane. The principle of the lever is