The measured vertical dimension and denture adhesive powders.

T HE superlative for logical dental reasoning during the first half of the present century might be awarded to Dr. John Hunter for his views on the theory of dental foci of infections, and to Dr. Gysi a close second for his studies of the geometric movements of the mandible. However, it is not the intention of this paper to dwell on the work of either of these men, but to discuss in part a practical sequence of their combined achievements. At the turn of the century the profession of dentistry was confronted with the problem of keeping dentures stable on their ridges. Springs, gum tragacanth, vacuum chambers, and Eureka suction cups were employed to supplement work done at the chair. Hunter’s statement obviously added to the number of these devices, but more particularly to the output of denture adhesive powders which were to become so universally employed. As a corollary, the relatively high cusps of Gysi’s new and geometrically carved bicuspids and molars contributed indirectly to the denture adhesive powder output because of the inability of dentists to properly articulate them. The use of high cusps should not be construed as the sole cause of the use of adhesives, but as one of many diverse contributing factors. In all probability the profession during the first half of the century gave no thought to the role denture adhesive powders play in prosthodontia or to what their growing use implied. Nor does it today. This cannot be said of the manufacturers of this product. To the producers it has become the big legitimate business it now is. How the full impact of Hunter’s edict affected the trend of dental thought of that day was reflected in the program of the newly organized National Society of Denture Prosthetists which met in Boston for the purpose of discussing “Geometry in Articulators ; ” “Esthetics and Art ;” “ Mouth Examination and Impression Mak.” ing, “Classification of Mouth Tissue Conditions and the Treatment Indicated ;” “Technic ;” and finally, “Business Methods and Education of Patients in Wearing Artificial Dentures.” At the meeting Dr. Gysi was the rotation center around which the articulator discussion revolved; a revolution which has not as yet lost its momentum. From then on until today articulators seem to have absorbed t& attention of prosthetists to the point of being made a major prosthetic issue to the exclusion of more important phases of the work. Actually the role of the articulator