Page 163 - My FlipBook

OF TIIE CONTINUAL GROWTH OP THE TEETH. 147
of the Gum, if they were not opposed by those in the opposite
Jaw ; for in young people, who had lost a Tooth before the rest
had come to their full length, I have seen the opposite Tooth
project a little beyond the rest, before they were at all worn
down. It may be further observed, that when a Tooth is lost,
the opposite one may project from the disposition of the Alveo-
lar Process to rise higher, and fill up at the bottom of the
sockets ; and the want of that natural pressure seems to give
that disposition to these processes, which is best illustrated in
those Teeth -which are formed deeper in their sockets than usual.
As a proof that the Teeth continue growing, it has been said
that the space of a fallen Tooth is almost filled up by the
increased thickness of the two adjacent Teeth, and the lengthen-
ing of that which is opposite. There is an evident fallacy in
the case ; either the observations have been made upon such
Jaws as above described, or the appearances have not been
examined with sufficient accuracy ; for when the space appears
to have become narrow by the approximation of the two adjacent
Teeth, it is not owing to any increase of their breadth, but to
their moving from that side where they are well supported, to
the other side, where they are not. For this reason they get
an inclined direction ; and I observe it extends to the several
adjacent Teeth in a proportional less degree, and affects those which
are behind, more than those which are before the vacant space.
In the Lower-Jaw the back Teeth are not fixed perpen-
dicularly, but all inclined forward ; and the depression of the
Jaw increases this position: the action of the Teeth, when
thrown out of the perpendicular, has also a tendency to increase
that oblique direction, as a pair of scissars, in cutting, pushes
every thing forward, or from the center of motion : therefore
this alteration, I think, is most commonly observable in the
Lower-Jaw.
And that Teeth are not actually always growing in breadth,
must be obvious to every person who considers, that in many
people, through life, the Teeth stand so wide from each other,