Page 204 - My FlipBook

away promptly and not of considerable consequence as to
the general health of the pulps of teeth. While this is true,
it is necessary on account of the physical suffering of our
patients, that we handle this condition very carefully. Usu-
ally, where hyperesthesia of the teeth is developed in con-
siderable degree we should be particularly careful not to sub-
ject that patient to too frequent operations we should give
;
time between operations for this sensitiveness to pass away;
the nervous system seems to forget in a degree, or the hyper-
esthesia passes away, and they come to the next sitting, a
week or two away, in better condition. It may be developed
again during two or three hours' operating. If you have
the patient come the next day, or the next day but one, their
suffering will be very much increased, but if put oflf a number
of days you will operate with very much less suffering to the
patient. So that in these conditions of hyperesthesia that
seem to be general to the teeth, always have a care as to
pushing patients too rapidly during their operations. Indeed,
it is the general rule that patients bear dental operations best
if considerable time is given between sittings, whether their
teeth are very sensitive or not. This condition needs no
other treatment than that of care in handling.
As to treatment we may institute with a view of obtund-
ing sensitiveness for the time, I will not now speak. It is an
important subject, one that is not sufficiently developed to
be of much advantage to us ; a matter that I have had under
consideration during all the time of my practice; have tried
all of the new remedies and methods, and after trying all of
these things I get along best with my patients by simply go-
ing ahead carefully with sharp instruments and careful plan-
ning of the work, cutting so as to accomplish my results with
the least possible pain to the patient. I have found it much
more satisfactory to both myself and my patients than any
use of drugs yet instituted. Still we are not without the hope
that we may find in the future obtundants that will reduce
the amount of suffering our patients have to bear, and the
search should go on carefully and considerately with that
end in view.
Treatment of Dental Caries.
From this on I want to call your attention more es-
pecially to the treatment of dental caries, with the view of

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