Page 11 - My FlipBook

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PREFACE.

Tlie orif?iiial intention in writing' this book was to confine it strictly to
a consideration of dental caries and its treatment, but later atrophy and
erosion of the teeth were added. Atrophy of the teeth seems now U) have
been completely made out both as to its causation and the principal
forms of the injury to the hard tissues of the teeth, and it was thoufiht
best to place this information on record in permanent form. Much of the
detail as to these in.iuries may, however, be discovered in the future.
Our information regarding erosion is far from complete and it now
seems probable that much time may elapse before its investigation will
develop satisfactory results. Its apparent increase in frequency and the
great damage it is doing, calls for the closest study that the profession
can give.
Otherwise than the presentation of these two conditions, this book
will be confined strictly to the consideration of dental caries and its
treatment. This comprises the main features of Operative Dentistry,
though in fact it is only one department of oi:r daily work at the chair.
Diseases of the dental pulp, diseases of the peridental membranes,
alveolar abscess, and the whole group of pathological conditions of the
soft tissues, are sub,jeets for another volume. The time has passed for
including in one book all of the subjects of dentistry.
Wliile I have not been unmindful of the needs of the general prac-
titioner in the preparation of the book, it has been planned especially for
use of students in dental schools. The subjects are introduced and car-
ried forward step by step, from the simpler to the more complex, wdth
complete explanations of the nomenclature for the beginner in the work
of preparing cavities and filling teeth. In the treatment of this sub-
ject, the questions of the pathology of caries applicable to the prevention
of recurrence of decay after fillings have been made, and the conditions
under which operations should or should not be done, have been repeated
often in order to keep these matters constantly before the mind of the
student.
In the arrangement of the matter, the logical order usually observed
in books has been followed. That is, the pathology has been presented
first and the treatment later. This is not always the best order in teach-
ing, and especially when the subjects are presented in that detail that is
necessary to completeness. In order to read most understandingly of
the pathology of typhoid fever, for instance, one must have had much
practical observation of the disease. The more prominent facts should
toe obtained first and the more intimate detail added later, when per-
sonal observation has given a wider view. In the study of dental caries
and its treatment, I have usually preferred to adopt such a plan in
teaching. With that view, the second volume would be given to the
student first. Following this thought, an outline of the principal points
of the pathology involved is usually given with or preceding the treat-
ment of each class of dental caries. In the first study by which the