This work has been written at the request of the National Association of Dental Faculties in furtherance of its plan to secure the preparation of a series of text-books for use in American Dental Colleges. After its completion and examination, it was accepted and endorsed by the Association at its meeting in Saratoga, August, 1889.

The impartment of instruction in the simplest and most direct manner being the true province of a text-book, the author has endeavored in the preparation of this work to treat the subject as concisely as possible, and to clothe his thoughts and those of others in such language as to be readily comprehended by beginners as well as those somewhat advanced in this branch of study.

In the treatment of the subject, the aim has been to lead the student step by step from the simplest beginnings to the more complicated and difficult work of practical treatment. To this end, the underlying principles of the art are first elucidated, after which the principal methods employed are explained, and lastly, the correlation of principles and methods is shown in their practical application to typical cases. In Part III., the different forms of irregularity, together with a variety of plans for their correction, are arranged under such headings and in such order as to be readily referred to in seeking aid for cases that occur in office practice.