Page 248 - My FlipBook

232 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
If the Gums are diseased, and become spongy, as has been
described, it will be very improper to transplant, as there
will be but little chance of success ; also, if the Sockets
have a disposition to waste ; and the Tooth becomes in some
degree loose ; in short, the Sockets and Gums should be
perfectly sound. No person should have a Tooth trans-
planted, while taking mercury, even although the Gums are
not affected by it at the time for they may become affected by
that medicine before the Tooth is fixed. I would carry this
; no one should have a Tooth transplanted, who
still farther
has any complaint that may subject him to the taking of
mercury before the Tooth is well fixed. For this reason,
those who have Teeth transplanted, ought particularly to
avoid for some time the chance of contracting any complaint,
for the cure of which mercury may be necessary.
I would not recommend transplanting, even where mercury
has been taken lately. How soon mercury may be taken
after a Tooth has been transplanted, is not easily ascertained.
I have known it fail from this cause, (as it seemed) after six
weeks, where there was every reason to suppose that it might
have been attended with success.

OF THE AGE OF THE PERSON WHO IS TO HAVE THE
SCION TOOTH.
The Socket should be of its full size, and one or two
grinders on each side of each jaw should be full grown, to
keep the two jaws at a proper distance, which will allow the
transplanted Tooth to be undisturbed by the motion of the
jaw while fastening. This will be at the age of eighteen or
twenty years.
It sometimes, however, happens, that a fore Tooth decays
before this age, and even before it is completely formed ; and
therefore all the above mentioned advantages cannot be had.
In such cases, it is not very material whether transplanting
is practised or not, as simply to draw the diseased Tooth, will