Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-06-15
GEor the Journal ]

Mr.. EDITOR Having been Intercepted by sew
eral Of my patients and others in reference to my
opinion of the ''Fulcanized Rubber base for
artificial teeth, crave space in your columns to
make brief statement. ...---s .-v
This material {vuicanzed rubber) has been before
the deuta! profession for period Of eight or ten
years, in some form or other. The compound is
made up principally of rubber and sulphur - gutta
percha is sometimes substituted for the rubber
some other materials are added for color, &c. Its
merits variously estimated by those whose
experience entities them to credit. Some are well
pleased others are Indifferent, while there are still
others who say they wish they had 'never seen the
thin9'-that, in some cases, worn but about eight
cen months, softening and otfensveness became
evident. My own experience in the yucanite is
limited is necessarily that of all others, cspe-
cially here in the West have tested it but short
time. AS dentist, honestly believe it is bound
to meet the doom met by Stations Gutta Percha,"
dental humbugs, that have had their rise and fall
during the last ten or fifteen years = biting badly
the unaware dentist, and more badly the credulous
patient and all Of these did their worst effect
under the garb of high recommendations and
'cheapness." Previous history in dentistry proves
without an exception that all regeta5le and animal
substances not durable, do they remain
pure in the mouth. This compound, which is
largely made up Of the vegetable gum, will most
assuredly be destroyed BY the continued effect OF
the warmth, moisture, and local secretions Of the
mouth The vulcanite may do for comb or IA
walking stick, but in the nouth is bound to fail,
sooner or later. .-. - .-
Its quality of elasticity" is decided objection;
its necessary thickness is also frequent objection.
It's color, being dark red, is unfit to represent the
natural gums. 1t is not seap but loaO price. 1t
cannot be made to '.ft" any better than metal
plate, but has in this respect decided feature
against its favor. Probably its test qualities are
Its ghtness and the low price, to the dentist, of
The materials, and the facility by which it can be
worked = and the first OF these is an objection in
lower sets, rather than an advantage. . n
In conclusion, 1 wish to assert that, in my opn-
ion, the very best material we have for the base of
artificial teeth is gold and platina; and they are
also the cheapest Silver, though Objectionable, is
and will remain preferable, in majority Of cases,
when compared with the rubber and sulphur com.
pound There are cases where the latter may do
WE'LL and can be made to- be useful and pleasant for
awhile; but no one can conscientiously recommend
its durability for reasonable length of time.
The very best way to mount it in connection with
the continuous porcelain gum" will furnish all
Of my patients who wish this material gotten up in
a superior style), and warrant its durability as
long as any dentist in the Union Can put it up at
a lower price than any other one in the State
regards the ''patent," that presume will bear
inspection. Mr.. Goodyear was not dentist. The
profession have long since condemned the indulg-
snce of dental patents as empirical.
J. HARDNAN.
Muscatine June II 1860