Page 216 - My FlipBook
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200 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
I come now to consider the diseases which take place
primarily in the sockets, when the Teeth are perfectly
sound : these appear to be two ; and yet I am not sure
but that they are both fundamentally the same, proceed
ing together from the same cause, or one depending on
the other.
The first effect, which takes place, is a wasting of the
Alveolar Processes, which are in many people gradually
absorbed, and taken into the system. This wasting begins
first at the edge of the socket, and gradually goes on to the
root or bottom.
The Gum, which is supported by the Alveolar Process,
loses its connection, and recedes from the body of the
Tooth, in proportion as the socket is lost ; in consequence of
which, first the neck and then more or less of the fang itself,
becomes exposed. The Tooth of course becomes extremely
loose, and at last drops out.
The other effect is a filling up of the socket at the bottom,
whereby the Tooth is gradually pushed out. As this disease
seldom happens without being attended by the other, it is
most probable that they generally both arise from the same
cause. The second in these cases may be an effect of the
first. Both combine to hasten the loss of the Tooth ; but it
sometimes happens that they act separately : for I have seen
cases where the Gum was leaving the Teeth, and yet the
Tooth was not in the least protruded ; on the other hand, I
have seen cases where the Tooth was protruding, and yet the
Gum kept its breadth ; but where this is not the case, and
the Gums give way, the Gums generally become extremely
diseased ; and as they are separated from both the Teeth and
the Alveolar Process, there is a very considerable discharge
of matter from those detached surfaces.
Though the wasting of the Alveoli at their mouths, and
the filling up at their bottoms, are to be considered as diseases
when they happen early in life ; yet it would appear to be
only on account of a natural effect taking place too soon
200 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
I come now to consider the diseases which take place
primarily in the sockets, when the Teeth are perfectly
sound : these appear to be two ; and yet I am not sure
but that they are both fundamentally the same, proceed
ing together from the same cause, or one depending on
the other.
The first effect, which takes place, is a wasting of the
Alveolar Processes, which are in many people gradually
absorbed, and taken into the system. This wasting begins
first at the edge of the socket, and gradually goes on to the
root or bottom.
The Gum, which is supported by the Alveolar Process,
loses its connection, and recedes from the body of the
Tooth, in proportion as the socket is lost ; in consequence of
which, first the neck and then more or less of the fang itself,
becomes exposed. The Tooth of course becomes extremely
loose, and at last drops out.
The other effect is a filling up of the socket at the bottom,
whereby the Tooth is gradually pushed out. As this disease
seldom happens without being attended by the other, it is
most probable that they generally both arise from the same
cause. The second in these cases may be an effect of the
first. Both combine to hasten the loss of the Tooth ; but it
sometimes happens that they act separately : for I have seen
cases where the Gum was leaving the Teeth, and yet the
Tooth was not in the least protruded ; on the other hand, I
have seen cases where the Tooth was protruding, and yet the
Gum kept its breadth ; but where this is not the case, and
the Gums give way, the Gums generally become extremely
diseased ; and as they are separated from both the Teeth and
the Alveolar Process, there is a very considerable discharge
of matter from those detached surfaces.
Though the wasting of the Alveoli at their mouths, and
the filling up at their bottoms, are to be considered as diseases
when they happen early in life ; yet it would appear to be
only on account of a natural effect taking place too soon
