[Collection of reprints].

  • Edward Angle
Date:
1910-[1929]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Collection of reprints]. 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.

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    After the band is fitted and soldered it is re-seated upon the tooth and bur- nished to close adaptation to the lingual curvature of the crown. It is then re- moved and further strengthened by flowing solder over its concave lingual surface, the soldered ends trimmed and smoothed, and the band polished and set in position on the tooth in cement. The result is a most beautiful and accurately fitting band. If you will take time to master this method of band making you will find that your bands require very little ce- ment and that they may be worked into their correct positions on the teeth more easily and satisfactorily than the bands you have heretofore made. They will also have greater efficiency and be more artistic in appearance. And the force exerted in forming the band is dis- tributed so evenly that it occasions prac- tically no shock to the sensitive periden- tal membrane. In learning to use this instrument of course you will break some bands, force being exerted so easily with it. But when you have mastered the proper feel in force control, plus the proper use of the burnisher, as you should do easily, you will be as greatly pleased with this new method of band forming as I am. I believe it marks a very im- portant step forward in band-making. I must not fail to mention that the margins of the jaws of the pliers next to the tooth should always be slightly lubricated with vaselin, as this lessens the friction with the band material and insures better adaptation. Obviously rights and lefts of these pliers are necessary to meet the requirements of both sides of the mouth. In our clinic this afternoon I hope you wiH make free use of a pair of models of these pliers which I have made. ANCHOR BANDS. Let us now consider another important phase of orthodontic technique, namely, that of fitting bands to molars, and I wish to prelude my remarks relative to this subject Avith a quotation which seems to me so apt that it might almost [VOL. LXII.—78] have been written for this occasion: That is the best mechanical device which does the work at-the lowest cost. Yes, but in order to attain the lowest cost it must be able to stand up under all the stress and strain to which it is ever likely to be subject; which is to say that the engineer who designs a mechanical device, whether it be a bridge or the locomotive that passes over the bridge, must aim at permanent and en- during results. How are such results obtained ? There is only one way: the engineer cannot design wilfully, capri- ciously, or idiosyncratically. He cannot use this material simply because it may be cheaper or look prettier than some other material. He cannot say to heat, ^I wish you would act this way,' and he cannot say to gravity, 'I wish you would act that way.' No, he must humbly submit himself to law. He must observe the natural order of things, and design in harmony with this order. He must select in accordance with right re- lations. As we say, he must plan justly and build honestly. All this he must do if he would do his duty as an econ- omist. As you know, two distinct types of bands are employed on molar teeth, i.e., the plain brazed band and the clamp band, both having their advocates. In use each has certain advantages and cer- tain disadvantages, but the true ortho- dontist will be content only with what is best for his patients—best' mechan- ically and best physiologically. There- fore I believe both should be very thoughtfully considered in order that it may be intelligently determined which is best. Here, again, consideration of the related principles of dynamics and physiology will help in reaching a de- cision. Doubtless plain bands may in skilful hands afford reasonably firm media of attachment between the teeth and the power part of the mechanism, but that they frequently give trouble by loosening under the constant jarring incident to occlusion and by reason of the strain of the appliances is undeniable, while the clamp band, even in the hands of the amateur, may be so firmly clamped
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