WAR-TIME INVENTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 126, 28 May 1919, Page 7

WAR-TIME INVENTIONS.

MARVEES OF MODERN DENTISTRY. MASTERY OF PYORRHOEA. THE NEW ANAESTHETIC. The astonishing strides in dentistry which the war has maele possible were de-scribed yesterday by Lieutenant W. R. Ingram, R.N.V.R.," who has returned to Auckland after three years' active service with the motor boat patrol. All the world knows tho wonderful work done by the motor-boat v chasers, which were largely responsible for the defeat of the submarines. Their exploits in the heroic attacks on Zeebrugge and Ostend will live in history for ever. Lieutenant Ingram, who Ls a partner in the well known firm of Stevenson and Ingram, Dentists, Karangahape Road,j returned to New Zealand via America. In ! his passage through the United States he made it his business specially to investi-1 gate the latest methods and appliances which have practically revolutionised! dental surgery. He attended the clinics in the foremost. dental universities, and visited all the loading manufactories of dental appliances and artificial teeth. Perhaps the most inter-sting place lie visited was the . Philadelphia Dental University, which sends forth 5000 trained students every year, anel which is recognised as the larjrest dental university in the world, i Other prominent dental institutions which Lieutenant Ingram inspected were the San Francisco Dental University and the University of Toronto, Canada. He also met the senior dental officer of the United States Naval Academy. Thus Mr. j Ingram had exceptional opportunities forj gaining first-hand knowledge of all the: marvels of war-time dental surgery. One of tbe greatest dental achievements of tho war has been the discovery of a certain cure for pyorrhoea. This disease, which affects the gums and causes the teeth to fall out, is extraordinarily prevalent. In more or less degree, 90 per cent, of people are afflicted with it. Before the war it was possible to cure a certain percentage of cases. Generally whole-sale extraction was found to be essential. To-day a cure can be effected in every case, and in a matter of days Lieutenant Ingram has seen a patient whose mouth was oozing pus cured of pyorrhoea in seven days, the discharge being stopped in four days, and the teeth firm again within the week. The average period for a complete cure is 14 days. How different tilings were before this wonderful discovery, when treatment lastetl months, and then xvas successful only in the minority of cases! All this progress has been rendered possible by the investiftations made necessary by the spread of that aggravated form of pyorrhoea known as "trench mouth." Another feature made prominent during the war is the specialised use of radiography in dental surgery. X-Ray photographs of the mouth can be taken and developed within 20 minutes. Thus, teeth with curved fangs can be filled with confidence and success, saving extractions which ordinarily are necessary. Even when extraction must be resorted to, the X Ray photographs show the dentist exactly the task that is before him, and tbe danger of splintering the bone in difficult extractions is thereby avoitled. A discovery which will appeal to the public mind is a means of producing a state of analgesia by inhalation. The patient inhales a gas which leaves him, or her, perfectly conscious, able to see and know all that goes on around, but unable to feel any pain. There is nrf pricking of the gum, and no "freezing" process. Important advances have been made in relation to artificial teeth, although it has been difficult in New Zealand, owing to war demands, to obtain supplies. Artificial teeth, with platinum, were unprocurable, platinum being commandeered. Inventors, however, have been busy, re suiting in the manufacture of new styles and shapes of artificial teeth. These practically defy detection by the ordinary layman. 'The difficulties of providing"artificial teeth for the type of person whose mouth has a fiat roof have also been overcome. This has been done by the use of compressed air in taking the impression. Lieutenant Ingram has brought from America all these latest methods and appliances. He has included plant for two additional surgeries on the most modern lines. The - firm also has the advantage of the return of'its old assistants, who have been on active service with the New Zealand Dental Corps. They come back armed with extraordinarily valuable experience and knowledge which they gained in Army service, dealing with every known type of mouth and dental defect. Lieutenant Ingram was the inventor ol the firm's "Sitneg" plate. This he has perfected along the lines of the new knowledge. His firm is now able to meet all demanels. No longer need patients be turneel away, as was unavoidable when the business was carried on with a wardepleted staff, but patients will have the knowledge that all that is scientific, latest, and best is at tlieir service. (Ad.)