Inventing ways to salvage a tooth with extensive caries approximating the pulp (Intradental Purulence Evacuating...

Tooth retention has always been the major goal of all dental professionals when possible. In the mid 1800s this attainment was a major challenge due to problems in dealing with deep caries and the potential for exposed and infected dental pulps. Although the diagnostic skills of the clinician during that era were not as honed as they might be today, they were still cognizant of dealing with compromised pulp tissue and its elimination from the root canal when necessary, however demanding. This historical perspective will present a rather unique way in which Dr. Josiah Foster Flagg opted to manage these types of clinical challenges.