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250 EXPOSED PULPS.

with; while others maintain that, when the pulp is
destroyed, the tooth is no longer of any value. The
truth is, perhaps, a medium between these extremes.
The pulp of the tooth is valuable in the economy, or
nature would dispense with it. Analogy teaches
that it would not be retained longer than it could
subserve some beneficial purpose. But it is also
true, that a tooth may be retained and perform its

proper function for a long time after the destruction
of its pulp, notwithstanding it is in a less perfect
condition; though it is always desirable to preserve*
the life of the tooth when practicable; for the crown
depends on the pulp for its vitality, and living dentine
presents more resistance to decay than dead; besides,
a dead tooth never exhibits the bright, life-like
appearance of a living one. The parts about a dead
tooth, too, are far more liable to disease than those

about a living one. These are only a few of the
considerations for retaining the nerves of the teeth.
It has been maintained that the structure of the
tooth-pulp is of such peculiar character, and so sus-
ceptible of diseased action, that after it has become
affected, though but slightly, it can not be restored
to a healthy condition. We see no ground, however,
for such an assumption, except it be in the imperfect
treatment which this organ so frequently receives;
for the fact of its delicate structure does not neces-