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There are two types of appliances used, the fixed and
movable. The advantage of the fixed appliance is that its action
is quicker and very often more reliable than is the case with a
movable plate. It, of course, cannot be cleansed quite so easily,
but with a well-fitting apparatus this difficulty is easily overcome.
The movable plate can, of course, be easily removed and washed,
but this facility may sometimes be taken advantage of to an
undesirable extent.
Orthodontic appliances are not, of course, very comfortable
things to wear, and if a parent does not exert a certain amount
of authority over a child wearing a movable plate very little, if
any, improvement in the condition will result should the child
wear the plate only intermittently.
Treatment by Extraction.
A large number of cases, which are not included in the above
totals, have been treated by judicious extraction. Usually the
first pre-molars have been removed, and the canine teeth pulled
back into the space with the aid of metal splints cemented on
suitably-chosen teeth and ligatured. The first permanent molars
are only extracted when in a bad carious condition, which is too
advanced to benefit by conservative treatment. Extractions are
usually symmetrical, but sometimes asymmetrical. Frequently
the outstanding teeth go back into position when a space has
been created for them in the arch, and further treatment is not
required.
A properly conducted School Orthodontic Service will prove
of much benefit to the health of the school child. Orthodontics
also introduce a variation into the work of the School Dental
Service, and with it an added interest which stimulates keenness
and efficiency.
IONIZATION CLINIC.
In spite of regular weekly sessions there is still a waiting list
of cases, and it has not been possible to arrange for the calling
up and re-examination of old cases, the statistics of such cases
being obtained at the end of the year bv home visiting. Relapses
have been dealt with when reported, but parents do not always
notify a relapse.