ON DENTAL EXOSTOSIS. 



Read March 2nd, 1857. 

 By HUBERT SHELLEY, Esq., M.B. Lond., M.R.C.S., (fee. 



Although exostosis of the fangs of teeth forms the 

 subject of a chapter in all our works on dental sur- 

 gery, still, after perusing them, a feeling of dis- 

 satisfaction is expressed, from the many points 

 manifestly requiring further elucidation. Thus, its 

 cause in many cases remains involved in mystery ; 

 of its mode of increase and manner of deposit no 

 account is to be found ; and there are no symptoms 

 at present discovered by which it can with certainty 

 be diagnosed. The object of the present paper is 

 therefore an attempt — humble, I acknowledge — to 

 clear away some of these difficulties, if it be only by 

 rendering our present stock of information a little 

 more exact concerning this disease, which is one of 

 the most curious to which the teeth are liable. 



The term " exostosis" turns out to be, when exa- 

 mined by the aid of modern science, more applicable 

 to the disease in question than others which, like it, 

 have been derived from osteological pathology. 

 Since it is necessary to understand whether we 



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