ANIMAL DENTISTRY. 5^75 



treated in the same manner. A handy method of securing 

 a dog for tooth extraction is to tie a piece of tape around 

 each jaw behind the canine teeth, then an assistant stands 

 astride of the dog, pinches the head taut between his knees 

 and holds the mouth open with the tape as the operator 

 applies the instruments. This method is even preferable to 

 the operating table, which places the mouth in an awkward 

 position for extraction. 



ABNORMAL ERUPTIONS OF THE TEETH. 



Shedding of the incisor teeth depends upon "growth pres- 

 sure" from the permanent successors. If the forming tooth 



Fig. I22B. 

 Baker's Dog Speculum. 



does not adjust itself directly upon the apex of the temporary 

 fang the latter may remain wedged between two contiguous 

 teeth through life. If this same condition exists in all the 

 incisors the result is a complete double set of incisors. 



When such abnormalities are observed early enough the 

 temporary teeth should be extracted. In later years they are 

 best left undisturbed. 



The canine teeth frequently remain covered with the 

 gums for several years after their usual period of eruption, 

 and thus cause a more or less painful irritation to the mouth. 

 The condition is observed most frequently in the six and 

 seven-year-old driving horse by the resistance such animals 



