Christine E. Whitten, Anyone Can Intubate, 2nd Ed, Medical Arts Publications, 1990

YOU CAN SEE THE LARYNX BECAUSE THE TEETH ARE MISSING

Edentulous or partially edentulous people frequently fool the intubator into thinking he or she has lifted enough. Without teeth you see a great view of the larynx without lifting the jaw. Without the lift, however, the mouth is barely wide enough to pass the tube (Fig. 5-8). Always remember to lift.