Milford chronicle., 1920-03-12
TEETH AND HEALTH
By r. ALLEN GRIFFITH, D. D. S.
THE X-RAY

Dentistry has entered a new era
thru the development of the X-ray,
Earlier experiences with infections
caused by diseased mouth conditions
met with serious difficulties and many
failures because it was hard to prove
the conclusions.
In recent years, however, the X-ray
reveals the presence of alveOlar alb
scesses with an ease and directness
previously impossible. Today no phys
ical examination is complete without
full examination and X-ray of the
mouth Some physicians even de-
mand complete X-rays of the mouth
before they will go ahead with any
physical examination at all.
X-ray plates are used to record the
varying densities in teeth and the
bone surrounding the teeth. They
give clear evidence as to the condition
of the tooth, they show the presence
or absence of a filling material in the
pulp nerve) cavity, and changes Oc-
curing in the bone about the teeth
due to pyorrhea, etc. By the use of
the X-ray alveOlar assesses are read
lily found which were not or could not
be suspected by the patient because
they seldom cause pain. 1t is remark
able how free from local symptoms
and signs a blind abscess at the root
end Of tooth may be.
X-ray studies of the jaws have been
increasingly made in recent years and
have revealed alveolar assesses in a
large per cent of patients.
One investigator records the obser-
vation of 3S7 cases whose X-ray films
of the jaws were available. He states
that by a conservative Interpretation
236 root abscesses were seen. These
were commonly multiple in any given
case. Eight hundred and six dead
teeth were present, and of these 545
had well-defined blind assesses at
the tip of the roots. One hundred and
ninety-One assesses were present,
due to death of the pulp nerve) either
by accident or from the effect of de-
cay.
This existence of this condition and
the relative ease with which the facts
can be obtained has given a tremend-
GUS impetus to the study of mouth in
fections within the last few years.
A few months ago a patient pre-
sented himself to a local physician.
The patient was suffering from scia-
tic rheumatism and was walking on
cruthches. The X-ray showed one
tooth, which was extracted,
and in less than an hour the pain had
stopped and has never recurred.
One Of our prominent newspaper
men had carried a bullet in his Jaw, /
Just over the teeth, for twenty years. |
He had suffered from severe head !
aches, chronic constipation and gen
eral debility during most of that per-
iod. There was seldom a time that |
he was not taking medicine. The doc |
tors told him that the bullet was un-
doubtedly encapsulated and by no
possibility could cause any trouble.
Finally he presented himself to the
writer, who had series of X-rays
made, which showed clearly an in
5ected antrim. The bullet was remov-
ed, the antrim drained and there have
been no secondary symptoms since.
Radiographs show conditions exist
ing where least expected, which is
sufficient to prove the necessity of its
use in every mans practice.
The X-ray is not luxury but a ne
2essity. Neither the physician nor the
lentist can do patient justice with
1ut it, and allow disease-producing
conditions to exist which may cause
he patient to suffer from systemic
diseases. The health and even the life
If the patient may be at stake.
rHE CHRONICLE GIFTS RESTTTyTS