Page 405 - My FlipBook

FRACTURE OF THE ALVEOLUS. 401

forceps will answer for this purpose. If there is much
attachment to the soft parts, it should be dissected
off, and then removed. If such fractured portions
are permitted to remain, inflammation, and oftentimes
sloughing of the gums, will ensue; necrosis of the
bone is also sometimes produced by detached bone

remaining in contact with the living.
Sometimes extensive fracture occurs, involving the
adjacent bony structure. In the case of Mr. W., in
an effort to remove the first superior molar, the outer
wall of the alveolus was separated from the other
teeth. The fracture extended almost to the zygo-
matic process, and detached a portion of the floor of
the antrum, as well as a part of its outer wall. After
the removal of this detached portion, there was a
considerable external depression, that very much

marred the form and symmetry of the face.
Fracture of the alveolus should always be guarded
against as carefully as possible. It always makes an
unfavorable impression, on the mind of the patient,
which in many cases no explanation can obliterate.
Whenever the accident does occur, the disagreeable
knowledge of it may, if practicable, remain a secret

with the operator.