Page 21 - My FlipBook

TIGHTENING LOOSE TEETH 5

in the mouth, preserve the vitality of the pulp and
protect the enamel.
I have found that the gum in the vicinity of living
teeth is far firmer and less inclined to atrophy than
round dead ones. Moreover, that teeth which at a
previous radiography had shown but trilling connection
with either jaw or connective tissue have acquired a
firmer connection after being fixed by the retaining
appliance.

Tightening Loose Teeth.
L Take an impression of both upper and lower
jaws.
Examine each tooth carefully; take written notes of
the degree of looseness, of decay, and of sensitiveness.
Clear up, by radiography, doubtful conditions in the
jaw, as to their kind and extent.
Ln both pyorrhoea alveolaris and doubtful cases
of loosening make urinary tests (albumen, sugar).
2. Decayed teeth are to be filled, painless teeth, re-
fractory to any treatment, being extracted, to prevent
the patient from becoming impatient during the pre-
paratory treatment.
Badly loosened teeth should be fixed by means of
silk ligatures, to be applied like a figure of eight
bandage.
Visible gaps in the front are to be removed by the
temporary setting of tube teeth (Fig. 2).
3. Cleansing Teeth.—The first thing to do, in all
cases, is to put the teeth in as first-class condition as