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400 ACCIDENTS IN THE EXTRACTION OF TEETH.

FRACTURE OF THE ALVEOLUS.

The ordinary fracture of the alveolus is a matter
of no considerable consequence, if it receives proper
attention. This fracture occurs to a greater or less
extent under the following circumstances: first, when
there is great divergence of the roots, so that the
tooth can not pass from its socket, unless one or more
of them are broken off, or the alveolus fractured

second, where the tooth is forced out of the socket at
a very considerable angle with its axis ; third, where
the alveolus is very firmly attached to the roots, and
is very thin toward the points of these. Usually, the
fracture is of that part which forms the socket of the
tooth removed ; and when this is the case, it is of
but small moment. It sometimes, however, extends
far beyond this, involving the alveolus of from one to
four of the adjacent teeth, and causing very serious
injury, even the loss of the teeth themselves. Ex-

tensive fracture, however, is far less liable to occur
now, than when less perfect instruments were em-

ployed. When the key was in general use, extensive
fracture of the alveolus was frequent; but with the
forceps, it is comparatively rare.
When an accident of this kind does occur, all of
the detached portion, whether large or small, should
be removed. A pair of bone nippers, or enucleating