METAL ROOTS FOR TEETH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2676, 28 July 1913, Page 8

METAL ROOTS FOR TEETH.

An operation said by the author to be “as audacious and revolutionising in dentistry as were the discovery and use of wireless telegraphy, radium, and xrays in their particular fields of science,” is described by Dr E. J. Greenfield, of Wichita, Kan., in The Dental* Cosmos (Philadelphia). Dr Greenfield implants teeth upon artificial roots of iridic-platinum, which, he asserts, are practically permanent. The bony tissue of the jaw unites in and around the structure of the metal root, so that his artificial teeth rest on what is virtually a foundaion of reinforced bone, the reinforcement consisting, just as in tho case of concrete, of a metal skeleton imbedded in the bony mass of the jaw. The invention was due to the unsatisfactory results of the implantation of natural’ teeth, the implanted natural root usually absorbing in a few years. The metallic substitute .was suggested by the use of silver-wire sutures by surgeons to reduce fractures. We read: “This new process of implantation is no loss than tho making of a few circular incisions in the jaw-bone . . . inserting properly prepared artificial roots of irklio-platinum, and mounting on cadi a base or anchorage, to which can be attached a full set of permanent, natural-appearing teeth, capable of rendering as good and efficient service as those endowed by nature at her best. “Perhaps the greatest convenience to dentists in this new process is the fact that, the splint is unnecessary. Fulfilling tho vacancy caused by the loss of a single tooth, what better method could bo employed? Mo splint will be needed, ami the adjacent teeth will not have to be mutilated in order to serve as anchorages or abutments; the artificial root eliminates all that. Besides, the mechanical phase of this wonderful process is so utterly simple that it will be readily understood, and proficiency in its use will be quickly acquired by all who desire to use it. ••The artificial root used for this process is a hollow, latticed, cylinder of iridic-platinum, Me. 24 gauge,'soldered with 21-carat gold, it is impervious to acids, ami does not injure the tissue which grows about it. Iho disc-shaped base with groove or slot, in which the crown attachment is inserted, is made of 22-earat gold, and is soldered to the metal frame of the root. "Special machinery is necessary for cnttingaml shaping these roots. Absolute accuracy is essential, for the artificial root must fit exactly the circular incision or socket made for it in tho jawbone of the patient. ■ Li> the course of a week or ten days after operating, sensitiveness has largely abated, and in six weeks’ time rarelv longer—-the bony tissues ol the jaw ha\o united through the latticed root-structure, and a positive anchorage is provided for the attachment of the artificial denture. ••By means of tho bony core which the trephine produces in making the incision or root-socket, tho artificial root, after being placed in position, will be held firmly until a sufficient deposit of bone cells lias tilled the spaces in tho root-frame. Thus the artlicial root becomes solidly embedded in the jaw. ••'I his bony centre ol the root-socket is olio of the'e-hief factors in the success of this process ol implantation. It assures the lit of tho artificial root in the socket trephined for it, and an absolutely accurate and certain lit is decidedly essential to permanence and endurance. “Without this core or centre, splints would he necessary . ". . hut with it, there are practically no limits to the prosthetic appliances available. It is ibis feature ol the process which makes it so inviting and interesting to all members of the profession, especially when tho results accomplished are coinpared with the results of the implantation of natural teeth. Ihe implanted natural tooth fails because ol tho rarefying intlammalion which occurs at the seat of implantation.” Tho conditions limiting the use ol these metal roots, the inventor tolls us, are few. If tho patient’s health is bad or if the bony .structure ol Ins jaw is diseased, the method is sometimes available sclirdi slird Ishr dlslird shrd 1 inadvisable. Tho author concludes; "This operation must not bo placed in the same class as ah olbei implantations, nor should it be anticipated that this process comes to the same end as do all other implantations. Mo fear is to bo entertained that iulection will occur, It a solid body is inserted in the maxilla there would be room for infection to set in around it, but in this operation a cagc-like, hollow cylinder is inserted in a circulai socket" m the maxilla. This root is open ail the way up, clear to the gum, and the circulation carries away any bac.cria which might otherwise ho destructive. This is one o; tho main inatures in the success ol this piocess of artificial-root implantation, if the cool were a solid body or even simply perlorated. it would bo thrown oil, as nature would not tolerate it, and theie would be room for infection. "Another factor which limits the c millions of failure is the simplicity ol i he operation, which is neither difficult nor complicated, and can be peiloimed in a few minutes. "Ano.lmr advantage is the immovability of the root. When once implanted, tins artificial root is solid and stationary, the bony core in the centre ol the socket assuring solility. •■j have implanted both natural teeth and these artificial ones, so I I’roni oxperit'iife when I say that the ab'-orptioii which lakes place alter a few years and absolutely destroys implanted natural teeth is entirely avoided bv this process, which provides tor the anchoring in the jaw of good, ,s did, imperishable artificial roots.