Excerpt from Dental Practitioner and Advertiser, Vol. 23

The following is a practical sequel of that paper, rendered in popular language, so far as it is possible to convey the intended meaning. The plan laid before you consists in naming some of the most distinguishing conditions of tooth structure, as seen in general practice, with scientific suggestions as to the proper filling material to meet each condition. By the teachings of science effects may be anticipated, and thus a saving of experimentation secured.

For an illustration, let us consider the two extreme conditions of dentine found in the mouth - the normal, and the lowest grade of poorly calcified structure. The analysis of dentine, as given in chemistry, is sufficiently correct for our purpose, and this indicates twenty-eight parts of organic matter in one hundred. This is the life principle of the tooth, and when unguarded by the mineral constituents which make up the remainder of a normal tooth structure, is in this abnormal condition a conductor of the electric current, and subject to electrical decomposition. When protected by the lime salts, conductivity decomposition and sensibility are so diminished that no harm arises from either of them. As the density of dentine falls below the normal standard, the conditions are favorable for disturbances from any one or all of the three causes mentioned. Time and practice prove that teeth of normal density may be filled with any material which will make a durable and perfectly fitting plug, and all the requirements for tooth preservation will be secured. The material is yet to be discovered which, for durability, the restoration of contour and in popular appreciation, will favorably compare with gold. Scientifically, there is a positive limit to the use of gold for tooth preservation; practically, there can be no such line established. Chemical analysis demonstrates that perfect or imperfect manipulation gives a considerable margin for success or failure. This does not change the fact that, not far down in the scale below normal dentine, gold becomes a cause for undesirable effects.

On the other extreme, consider cases, not uncommon, in which the deciduous teeth have decayed to the gums, or where the incisors of the permanent dentition have lateral cavities in all the teeth; allowing that the age of the patient would admit of perfect operations, no observing or well-read dentist would look for success in the use of gold. There is a principle involved by which failure must be the result. There is a cause for an effect which may as well be introduced at this point as farther on, and it is the grand underlying principle involved in the adaptation of fillings to the conditions of the teeth.

This involves what is known as the "Electro-Chemical Theory," and to avoid the unprofitable discussions which might follow from disbelief or misunderstanding of such doctrines, the substance will be given in popular terms.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге Dental Practitioner and Advertiser, Vol. 23 (Classic Reprint)