Extraction of Teeth. [Volume: 2, Issue: 2, September, 1860, pp. 62-68]

EXTRACTION OF TEETH.

65

lowed shrine of their ambition-and, instead of good Samaritans, binding up and mollifying, (not with extract,) they are metamorphosed into
walking, breathing machines of torture; rioting in bone, flesh, and blood,
and moved by an energy and zeal which, if properly directed, would
be worthy of imitation. A catalogue of the good qualities of this class
of operators is frequently met with in the public prints of the day. They
no doubt believe in the maxim, that blessed is he who can blow his own
horn, for whosoever bloweth not his own horn the same shall not be
blowed I
As a general thing, we would recommend the removal of the Dens
Sapientia after an exposure of the nerve. Neither should that be considered sound practice which leaves offensive, broken teeth, or infectious roots
in the mouth, requiring nature to do, in her slow processes, for the
patient what the dentist is either incompetent to perform or does not feel
disposed to undertake.
We would urge the immediate removal of all ulcerated teeth or those
threatened with abscess, when there is no hope or desire of making them
serviceable again. Relief is thus much sooner afforded than by prophylactic treatment.
When extraction becomes necessary, there are a few points which it
would be well always to consider: the age, mental and physical constitution, the health of the patient, as well as the physiological and pathological conditions of the tooth and its surroundings.
Though unpleasant be the task of extraction, an operator should never for
one moment question his duty, so far as success or the reverse may attend
his endeavor. An honest, skillful effort, though unsuccessful, will neither
involve him in serious difficulty nor compromise professional standing.
But, admit that he does suffer unjustly, and his hard-earned reputation is
stricken in the dust: should this be a sufficient cause for any swerving from
an honest discharge of duty? Is not all this assumed in the assumption
of dental practice? Surely, he who takes the opposite course is not
entitled to the respect of the community, and must, sooner or later,
experience its withdrawal, if not suffer in the loss of self-respect.
How this act is to be performed upon the different teeth involves a
consideration of the following particulars:-The anatomy of the teeth and
jaws; tie force requisite; its application and direction. I do not propose a lengthy discussion of these points, but to do little more than to
call attention to the fact, that a knowledge of them is highly important
to the successful practice of dental surgery.
The same class of teeth are not extracted with the same force from different mouths; neither are the different teeth removed by the same force
from the same mouth. The difficulties or intricacies attending extraction
are greatly enhanced by exostosis, the direction and shape of the roots,