136 ON THE CHEOPLASTIC METHOD 



greatest strength, as well as the most comfort- 

 able surface for the gums, the tongue, and the 

 cheek. This is, of course, peculiar to cheoplasty, 

 and of the most desirable character, as there can 

 be nothing more unpleasant to the patient or 

 more unfortunate to the dentist than the move- 

 ment of the plate in the mouth, sometimes noticed 

 in bone pieces, resulting from insufficient weight 

 when admitting only a very small base. 



Again, it is especially valuable for such lower 

 pieces as are required to sustain two or more 

 teeth upon either side, connected by a delicate 

 band passing behind and below the front teeth. 

 These commonly inflict great pain, or want much 

 usefulness, as well as being necessarily clumsily 

 made. These troubles are almost wholly over- 

 come, as, by this means, they can be made perfect 

 in their fit as well as free from bulk, yet pos- 

 sessing all required strength and usefulness, as 

 well as presenting the round edges so admirably 

 formed in bone. 



From the great perfection in its fitting the 

 parts so accurately, a smaller amount of the 

 surface of the mouth may be employed, at the 

 same time possessing more strength, and, from 

 this close adaptation, much less liable to break or 

 to give way in the mouth ; because the plate itself 

 is called upon to bear but little pressure, as the 

 gums, being in absolute contact at each particular 

 point, sustain directly the pressure applied by use. 



