An introduction to dental anatomy and physiology : descriptive and applied.

  • Hopewell-Smith, Arthur, 1865-1931.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introduction to dental anatomy and physiology : descriptive and applied. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

    384/398 (page 364)
    Clinically this force becomes more manifested, at times, under certain conditions, in a disastrous manner. Thus a i6-carat gold band which is used for supporting a denture, if attached to a molar tooth, for instance, which contains a large amalgam filling, may in these cases become so electrically affected as to break, on account of the molecular changes set up by the current, and the filling similarly to become disintegrated and ultimately become loosened. Mere contact of a metal with enamel or dentine is not appreciated by the pulp. It is when two dissimilar metals are brought into contact, separated only by a thin film of saliva, which acts as the electrolyte, and the circuit is completed, that voltaic currents are set up—as for instance when the metal ring of a small mirror touches the surface of a gold or an amalgam filling. This, of course, constantly takes place during operations, and is as a rule unnoticed by the patient, on account of its extremely light character; but, at times, the pulp, stimulated by the electrical action, responds by a sudden spasm of acute neuralgic pain.