A text-book of operative dentistry

Front matter

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Preface

In preparing this book for the profession the aim has been to condense the latest thought on the various subjects into the closest possible limit consistent with a clear elucidation of the ideas presented. It has been the constant effort to bring the work strictly up to date, and with the rapid evolution of dental thought in progress at the present time this has been no small task. As an illustration it is only necessary to mention the circumstance that one entire chapter — that by Dr. Nyman on the gold inlay — was wholly rewritten after it was in type and the illustrations made for it. The original article was discarded as being out of date the moment the cast method became a demonstrated fact. This is only indicative of the great care taken by the various authors in the revision of their work, and for which the editor wishes at this time to express his great appreciation.

Particular attention is called to the illustrative character of the work. Most of the cuts were made specially for the book, and many of them are striking in their originality. Those, for instance, illustrating Dr. Turner's chapter on "The Anatomy of the Human Teeth" were made from photographs of natural teeth, a typical specimen of each tooth being selected for this purpose and photographed on its different surfaces. The effect has been to present something perfectly true to nature.

Mention might be made of distinguishing features in each chapter in the book, but this would appear unnecessary with the work in the reader's hands. It seems appropriate, however, to call attention to Dr. Pullen's chapter on "Orthodontia" which we believe is one of the most concise and practical presentations of this important subject that has yet appeared.

To the contributors the editor feels under deep obligation for their cordial cooperation in preparing the work, and to the publishers for their uniform courtesy and painstaking care in every detail of publication. C. N. J.

Chicago, August, 1908.

Introduction

Operative Dentistry may be denned as the science and art which aims at the preservation of the natural teeth in a state of health and beauty. Its highest office is to prevent disease or deformity, but where either of these has already occurred it is then its function to remedy the evil, and check its further progress. The dentist who does the best for his patient is the one who, in addition to the development of the highest manipulative skill, studies most carefully the conditions surrounding the field of his operations. To fill a cavity in a tooth in the most perfect manner possible, when the surrounding tissues are in an abnormal condition, without a recognition of this fact and the most careful attention to the abnormality, is far from good practice. To attempt to remedy any disorder in the mouth by confining attention solely to the immediate seat of the trouble is frequently to court failure. The human economy is so complicated that cause and effect are often remote from each other, and the practitioner who does the best service to his patient is the one who in addition to being an acute observer extends his observation over the widest field.

The conscientious dentist, when he finds himself baffled in discovering the cause or relieving the symptoms of any affection of the mouth will not hesitate to call in consultation a specialist in dentistry or medicine as the case indicates, and particularly is it desirable in instances of peculiar idiosyncrasies to consult with the family physician of the patient.

No individual practicing a profession like dentistry should think lightly of his obligations, and no practitioner can properly fulfil his obligations without developing the habit of painstaking care in all his work whether of diagnosis or treatment. It should early be recognized by the young practitioner that dentistry demands of those who aim to excel in its practice a more diversified order of talent than any other calling. To be a good dentist an individual should develop the scientist's attitude toward the intimate and sometimes intricate relationship between cause and effect, he should be a close observer of phenomena, a mechanician of the first order, an artist with the sense

xi xii INTRODUCTION.

of harmony highly cultivated, a physician in his diagnosis of disease, a humanitarian in his ministrations to others, and above all a cultured gentleman of the highest mental and moral fiber.

This does not imply that in the beginning he must be endowed with great brain capacity or natural attributes of an unusual character. The encouraging thing about dentistry is that most of the qualities necessary for achievement are capable of cultivation, and the man who will apply himself with sufficient zeal and perseverance is certain of at least a reasonable measure of success. The chief requisite is the patience to plod.

If every dentist would bring to his work a real sincerity of purpose to serve his patients to the highest possibilities of his art, the future of the profession would be secure. There would be less need than there is today of artificial teeth, and the full functional use of the natural organs in mastication and in harmony of expression would be more generally recognized and appreciated. As we develop dentistry along the lines of prevention and conservation we shall bring it nearer and nearer to its highest mission. To do the greatest good to the largest number, to do this good without thought of self advancement, to work for the love of it and for the benefit it brings to humanity — this is the acme of faithful service and the only kind of effort which will bring permanent satisfaction. Unless a dentist is willing to do this he will fall short of all that his profession has to offer him, if he does it he may be certain of an encouraging measure of attainment.

But to accomplish anything of note he must be progressive. The methods of yesterday will not suffice for today. No profession is developing more rapidly than dentistry and he who would give the best service must ever be alive to the latest advances. The foremost thinkers of the profession are constantly placing their ideas before their fellow practitioners, and the man who keeps abreast must be alert to avail himself of the results of their matured thought. It is with the purpose of presenting this thought in the most condensed form as it relates to the different departments of operative dentistry that the present volume is issued.

OPERATIVE DENTISTRY.