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CROSS-SPLINTS 45

margin, which is to be left free. This will render the
whole splint symmetrical and protect it from being bent.
This splint must be very firmly connected with the
lateral splint (see Plate Y.).
Both where the ends of the splint are connected
with the bridge and on the teeth to be retained, rein-
forcing cross-arms and wire splints should be placed,
so that the whole, acting like a ship's frame, may
lessen the strain exercised on the teeth that are to be
retained.
In the lower jaw place a semicircular connecting-
splint at a distance of about | millimetre from the
arch, to prevent the bow from pressing too much on
the jaw.
Neither in the lower nor in the upper jaw are
splints of this kind likely to cause irritation of the
underlying tissue ; but even in cases where galling
edges occurred (as in a case of diabetes), never have I
observed destruction of the tissues to such a degree
that the removal of the splint seemed to be required.
Connection of Retaining Appliances.
Appliances retaining front teeth and those retain-
ing back teeth should be connected as follows :
The anterior retaining appliance firmly placed,
allow the appliance for retaining molars and pre-
molars to extend to the canine of the same side.
As the double overlapping at the canine might
make it too thick, grind off the first layer of the
anterior appliance a little.