Page 392 - My FlipBook

CHAPTER XII.

ACCIDENTS IN THE EXTRACTION OF TEETH.

The accidents liable to occur to the teeth and the
contiguous parts in the operation of extraction, were
formerly far more frequent than at present. This
results from the existence of more perfect instru-
ments and of more accurate and extensive knowledge.

Formerly, very few studied the peculiarities of the
teeth, either in their physical or anatomical struc-
ture ; their peculiar forms, as indicated by their
crowns ; their anatomical and physiological relations
to the contiguous parts and to one another ; and their
attachment as affected by the character and structure
of the tissues about them. The instruments em-
ployed, too, were, till within a few years past, very
crude in their forms, very inapplicable in that part
which embraces the tooth, inappropriate in their
shapes, and defective in their manner of applying the
force in the operation. But these causes of accidents,

so far as the better part of the dental profession is
concerned, have been in a very marked degree dimin-
ished.