004
Daniel B. Armistead D.D.S.
2233 Alma Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear Dan:
Some weeks ago I had an appointment at your office
regarding a couple of old roots. They gave no symptoms
but I was afraid they might give an odor to my breath.
You got them out OK but an adjacent pre-molar was made quite
loose. It was a good tooth. I returned and asked you to
put in a stent to hold it in its regular position.
I have seen this done and it worked. An anesthetist
knocked out three front teeth. I stuck them back in and
held them in with dental floss woven to the adjacent teeth.
I also used adhesive tape and put him on a soft diet. Mostly
liquids.. The teeth stayed in spite of dead nerves.
I did this treatment on the advice of a dentist whom I called
by telephone. This happened over forty years ago.
I am angry at myself for not insisting that this be done.
by you or someone else. I did not discuss this with the
patient. The anesthetist was in a hot spot but it all
worked out. The teeth stayed in for a few years until he had
all his upper teeth removed for receding gums. That is
when the dentist told him that the nerves were dead in three
of his front teeth.
Presently I am quite depressed. I loath the idea of
wearing a brace, especially since I feel that this
catastrophe might have been avoided.
Life, at my age has its special stresses, but I now find
it difficult to look on the bright side. I have always been
a conservationist. I have made life better for hundreds of
people, both patients and otherwise. Back East people used
to listen to my advice. I have avoided being dismal.
In these parts, today, people rarely appear to listen to
anybody. Possibly the noise and television has damaged the
minds of all of us to some extent.
It appears that we are all living in a madhouse. At one
time, one might find an island of sanity. Cant find one.
Having no heirs, I have invested in conservation and humanity
Right now, it appears like a losing battle, but regardless of
the outcome, it is the right cause.
You too are under stress. You think too much and feel too
much.
Wishing you and your loved ones good health and
reasonable tranquility. These are not dull times, so enjoy
the excitement and the madness.
Sincerely.
