Handbook of dental anatomy and surgery : for the use of students and pratitioners / by John Smith.

  • Smith, J. (John), 1825-1910.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Handbook of dental anatomy and surgery : for the use of students and pratitioners / by John Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    unique phenomena. According to one theory, dental caries is set down as an exclusively chemical process, a mere decomposition of the dental tissues. According to another, it is a purely vital action, consisting in gangrene or mortification of these tissues—neither view, how- ever, seeming to he correct. From what has been stated in another chap- ter regarding the development of the teeth, it will he recollected that they are originally formed from mucous membrane, that modifica- tion of skin which lines the alimentary canal from the mouth downwards. The germs of these organs were described as being developed in the groove found in the mucous membrane of the foetal mouth. We must therefore con- sider teeth as dermal organs; organs analogous to such appendages as nails or hairs, and con- sequently we may naturally expect them to be subject to attacks of disease such as are associ- ated with other dermal tissues. In this man- ner, there is no reason for considering that den- tal decay is an exclusively chemical action ; a mere decomposition of the substance of the tooth by the action of the oral fluids. Were this the case, all teeth would be equally affected,