VIGNETTE
John Nutting Farrar 1839-1913
The last several decades of the 19th century were the
breeding ground for a few dentists who devoted their profes-
sional lives to the study and practice of that branch of den-
tistry referred to as "irregularities of the teeth." The prevail-
ing concept was a mechanical one: teeth were moved indis-
criminately with many different appliances devised by the
practitioner. However, it was during this period that the sci-
entific understanding of such tooth movement was undertak-
en. Prominent among the participants was John Nutting Far-
rar (1839-1913) of New York.
Little is known of his personal life. He had secured a DDS
and MD degree, which was a unique accomplishment during
that period. Of an inquisitive nature, he studied the processes
involved in tooth movement. After years of experimentation,
he published the result of his work in the Dental Cosmos
(1876) in a series of articles entitled "Regulation of the Teeth
made easy by the Positive System." His theme was that pres-
sure applied to teeth caused their movement and that pressure
should be intermittent. Teeth are moved by absorption of the
socket tissue that must be applied within their physiologic
limits. He called it "Labor and Rest."
Farrar then adapted his mechanical skills to such appli-
ances as screws (introduced to the profession by H. W. Dwin-
nelle in 1849), elastic rubber (E. G. Tucker, 1846), springs
(known since the 18th century), ligatures (S.S. Fitch, 1829)
and vulcanite plates (Charles Goodyear, Jr, 1851).
He continued his research for years with continual revi-
sion of his original concepts. This effort resulted in the publi-
cation of Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Correction. It
Upper scallop wire retaining and
Upper scallop wire retaining plate. (Farrur.)
c c
.. ~ ", 'v.
: •• 1.0 ..... ~."
~.
", ..".; Outside scallop wire retaining plate.
Lower scallop wire retaining plate.
(Farrar.)
602 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/November 1998
appeared in two volumes: Volume 1 in 1888 and Volume 2 in
1898. These volumes were meticulously prepared with over
1400 pen and ink sketches drawn by Farrar. They were a ver-
itable mine of orthodontic literature and knowledge that is
epoch making in character. This monumental work not only
advanced the scientific approach to tooth movement but con-
tained a historical presentation of prior efforts of dental prac-
titioners in advancing the practice of orthodontics. With not
only his publications but his participation in discussions at
dental meetings, he advocated the separation of orthodontics
from the general practice of dentistry. Other contributions
included designing a 'chair specifically for the dentist and his
assistant. Concerned about the health of dentists, he wrote,
"some causes of deterioration of vital energy of dentists." He
perfected a technique for the elevation of teeth in their sock-
ets. Farrar was concerned with the preservation of the decidu-
ous teeth, and recommended the extraction of them only when
a succedaneous tooth had made its appearance in the mouth.
Mechanical Aids in the Treatment of Socket Disease of the
Alveolus was his attempt to alleviate periodontal conditions.
Farrar was one of the pioneers in the practice of ortho-
dontics, establishing viable concepts that have withstood the
test of time. His was a broader outlook in which mechanics
of the treatment was dependent on basic scientific informa-
tion concerning the anatomic and physiologic characteristics
of the teeth and jaw. Kingsley, Case, and AngIe all borrowed
heavily on Farrar's research and concepts, not always giving
due credit.
Milton B. Asbell
Scallop wire plate for regulating the
upper bicUl!plds and then retaining them
regulating plate. (Farrar.) In line. (Farrar.)
Plain wIre retaining plate. (Farror.)
(Farrar.)