The anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the teeth / by Thomas Bell.

  • Bell, Thomas, 1792-1880.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the teeth / by Thomas Bell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    241/408 (page 215)
    Sometimes the alveolar periosteum becomes so much inflamed, in consequence of the increased irri- tation produced in it by the loosened teeth, heighten- ed perhaps by some constitutional irritability, that true alveolar abscess takes place, accompanied by many of the symptoms which will be found de- scribed as belonging to that disease, excepting that the swelling of the adjacent parts is seldom so great in the present case, as in those which are produced by the irritation of an exposed nerve of a tooth, or by the existence of dead roots in the socket. This arises from the circumstance that the matter finds a much more easy and speedy exit, in consequence of the loss of a great part of the alveolar processes, and the more ready ulceration of the gum. Although the symptoms which I have now de- scribed, may be considered as generally characteriz- ing the origin and progress of the disease in ques- tion, yet we find that they do not necessarily belong to every case of alveolar absorption, even when ac- companied by local disease. The loss of substance is sometimes rapid, and the discharge of pus from the alveolar periosteum considerable, without any high degree of inflammation occurring during any period of the complaint. The roots of the teeth are gradu- ally denuded, and assume a blackish colour ; and a small quantity of pus may at any time be pressed out from under the gum; yet the edges of the gum are perhaps only slightly thickened, and the pain is in- considerable. This affection is not confined to any of the teeth, but it occurs most frequently over the palatine root of the superior molares, which is often