No departure from a physiologic condition of the mouth is so readily noticed by the sufferer as a tooth which has become more or less loosened in its alveolar socket. In considering this abnormal condition of the teeth, two classes may be distinguished.
First. Those cases resulting from infection which has caused pus to spread in such a manner as to interfere with the pericemental attachment of the root to the alveolus. In such cases, the more or less speedy removal of the focus of infection will generally restore the tooth to its normal degree of solidity. Infection following a dying pulp, difficult erupting teeth, ligatures accidently left around the necks of teeth, ill-advised separating of teeth and other injudicious dental operations are the most common causes in this class, and, therefore, they can be strictly classified as localized diseases, readily cured if the cause is ascertained and removed.
Second.