Specification of Henri Schoofs : artificial teeth, gums, and palates.

  • Schoofs, Henri.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Henri Schoofs : artificial teeth, gums, and palates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Schoofs Improvements in Artificial Teeth, Gums, Palates. hurtful in result) between metal or other hard and unyielding bodies and the natural organs of the mouth. My improvements may be termed homogenic, by reason of the similarity of the texture or nature of the matters employed, and the mucous membranes of the mouth, and hygienous from the salutary effects consequent on their use. The difference which exists between every 5 case of dental deterioration (and such cases being innumerable) it is impossible, and in fact needless if possible, to file special Drawings of certain cases, and I believe the description which follows will be found sufficient for all practical dentists, enabling them to work out my Invention without difficulty or uncertainty. I proceed as follows :—I take the mould of the maxillary roof 10 or palate with soft wax, and let plaster flow thereon, which will give an exact reproduction of the organ of which impression shall have been taken, and serves as a model for casting a third reproduction in iron, copper, zinc, or other metal. This process is known to all dentists. On the plaster mould the artificial teeth are adjusted, which are intended to replace the natural ones 15 which shall have been destroyed wholly or in part. These artificial teeth may be either mineral or natural. They are maintained in their places below by the help of plugs or stoppers of wax, and above or exteriorly by liquid plaster, with which all the exposed edges are surrounded ; the plaster in drying, holds firmly the teeth in their places, and allows the wax, now become useless, 20 to be taken away. The teeth being now in the position they are definitively to retain, their fastenings are completed either by using platina tenons, screw pivots, or gold plate, or gold wire. This incomplete preparation may be offered in the mouth to ascertain the exactitude, and to allow of defects (if any) being remedied, such as bringing forward, putting back, heightening, or 25 lowering one or more of the teeth, which is easily effected by the aid of pincers, the metalic ligaments being very ductile. All the foregoing manipulations or operations are well known to dentists, and from this point I commence the Specification of my improvements. The preparation just described being adjusted, I take the metal mould and heat it sufficiently. I apply on all the 30 corresponding parts near the impaired maxillary roof or palate a layer of gutta percha or caoutchouc, either mixed together or separate, or modified by the mixture of other gums (used plain or colored), according to the greater or less susceptability of the impaired organs. This layer lies in a ductile or partially melted state by reason of the heat imparted thereto by the metalic mould. 35 On this layer and at their respective places the adjusted (as before described) teeth are placed, and all the fixings of wire or plates are covered by another layer. The second layer amalgamating with the first now forms with the teeth a single solid piece; the last layer as it advances on to the palate or