Under (1) are included the upper incisors (temporary and permanent) and the lower bicuspids; (2) the lower incisors and canines (temporary and permanent), and also the upper canines and bicuspids; (3) the upper and lower molars (temporary and permanent) and frequently the first upper bicuspids.[2]
The shape of the roots, as we shall subsequently find, has an important bearing upon the manner in which force is to be applied when severing them from their attachments.
A correct acquaintance with the disposition of the alveoli of the teeth is of importance for skilful and successful operating. Fig. 15 gives a general idea of the appearance of the alveoli, but it is needless to say that a full knowledge can only be really obtained by a careful study of the bones themselves; by this means, too, some idea of the strength of different portions of the alveolar borders can be obtained—a matter of some moment when applying force in the process of removing a tooth from its socket. The points to be specially noted in the maxilla are the thinness of the outer alveolar wall as compared with the inner, the prominence of the canine socket, and the cancellous character of the bone in the region of the third molar. In the mandible the outer alveolar border will be seen to be thinner than the inner, with the exception of that portion in the region of the
Fig. 15.
From the “American System of Dentistry.”
third, and often of the second molar; another fact worthy of attention is that at the posterior portion of the socket of the third molar the bone is moderately dense.
When performed with forceps the operation of tooth extraction may be divided into three stages:—
(1) Adaptation of the forceps to the tooth.