Page 126 - My FlipBook

122 THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES IN FILLING TEETH.

Strong the patient will not use the teeth very vigorously, and
fillings of less strength will answer. But be careful not to under-
estimate that. If the pulp has been removed from a tooth and
it is still somewhat sore it may be very difficult to use sufficient
force, and one may be deceived ; for when it is well the patient
may put great force upon it. One should study each individual
case as to the strength of the peridental membranes, the probable
habits of the patient in chewing food, and build the filling accord-
ingly. A person whose peridental membranes are strong, who,
from the appearance of the teeth, you would suppose used much
force in masticating food, particularly in cases where teeth are
worn, you may expect that great force is used in the mastication
of food, and you must build fillings accordingly, and see that
every portion of gold is well annealed and malleted well home.
A careful study of persons in regard to the force they use in
biting seems to me almost essential in the practice of dentistry.
I know it is difficult to do that without being equipped with the
proper instruments for this study. I wish every one could be
equipped with the instruments for taking the bite of patients.
Many patients will become interested in it and it would afford a
fund of information that would be of great benefit.

Finishing Fillings.
Except in proximate cavities in the presence of a pro:ximat-
ing tooth, trimming fillings to form and finishing presents very
little difficulty, and requires no special preparation for the finish-
ing before the filling is introduced. In these it is necessary to
the proper finishing that the teeth be separated, either before the
filling is begun, or at some time during the building of it, to
allow room for finishing the surface to the correct form. This
separating has been described.
Before any finishing is begun, the cavity must be filled more
than full at every part to allow for sufficient trimming to remove
all instrument marks, leaving a surface condensed to an even,
perfect hardness.
In occlusal, buccal, labial and lingual cavities, the first
trimming may be done with the engine, using fine-cut finishing
burs, or corundum stones, as may be most convenient, or in
some positions the trimming may be done with the finishing
files. Rotary instruments used in the dental engine should be