On the construction and application of forceps for extracting teeth / by John Tomes.

  • Tomes, John, 1815-1895.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the construction and application of forceps for extracting teeth / by John Tomes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    From the London Medical Gazette of June 4th, 1841. ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION OF FORCEPS FOR EXTRACTING TEETH. BY JOHN TOMES, SURGEON-DENTIST TO KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. Upon having my attention turned to the extraction of teeth, the in- struments placed in my hands to effect this small yet necessary opera- tion were, forceps for extracting the front teeth ; the key instrument, for the removal of the hack teeth; and the elevator, where neither of the former were effective. After using these for some time, I be- came dissatisfied with forceps as they are commonly made, and with the key, from the direction in which the force is applied. To supply the place of what seemed to me defective instruments, forceps variously shaped were constructed, and it is the business of this paper to describe these, with their proposed advantages, as com- pared with the instruments in general use. It may he well, however, first of all, to state what is required in instruments wherewith to extract teeth most effectively, and why the means commonly used are imperfect. The indications in removing teeth are—First, to remove the whole of the offending tooth, or part of a tooth; secondly, to remove it with the least possible injury to the contiguous structures, as the gums and alveolar processes; thirdly, to give the patient the least possible amount of pain in the operation. That method by which a tooth, or the remains of one, can be re- moved most certainly, quickly, and at the same time with the least amount of injury to the adjoining parts, will also remove it with the least pain.