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EXPOSURE AND REMOVAL OF THE DENTAL PULP. 1-45

in a light handle, but may be used without. Just before
introducing the broach dip it into a good antiseptic, pref-
erably 1-2-3, or oil of cloves. This should never be neglected,
for the broaches are liable to carry micro-organisms into the
canal and infect it. Now pass the broach into the canal, direct-
ing it against one of the walls, so that it will pass in beside the
pulp tissue rather than through it. Generally the point should
be pushed to the apical foramen and then, if it is felt to be held
tightly in the apical end of the canal, withdraw it until it is felt
to be loose. Now rotate the broach lightly, moving it slightly
back and forth to be sure that the whole length is rotating and
not being held in some curved part of the canal which would be
liable to break the broach. The rotation should not exceed one
turn, then withdraw it. In a good many cases the entire con-
tents of the canal will be brought away with the first effort. If
not, the movement is repeated. Often the tissue of the pulp
will break up into shreds and be but partially removed. In this
case the smooth broach with cotton should be used. For
preparing this the fingers should be disinfected by taking a bit
of cotton moistened with the disinfecting agent used, and rolling
it between the fingers and thumb. Then take a small bit of
absorbent cotton and pull it between the fingers of the two
hands until a small shred is formed containing but a few parallel
fibers. Take one end of this between the forefinger and thumb
of the right hand and grasp with it the broach at midlength, or
with the cotton wisp extending slightly past its point. With the
left hand grasp the other end of the cotton wisp and the point
of the broach together and rotate the broach in the fingers of
the right hand until the cotton is wrapped firmly upon its shaft.
When this is properly done the cotton will cling firmly to the
broach, and is not likely to be lost in the canal. With the
broach thus armed, dip it first in the antiseptic and then pass it
into the canal, slightly rotating back and forth. When the full
depth has been reached, turn the broach fully upon its axis and
withdraw it while in rotation. Generally the shreds of the pulp
will become entangled in the cotton and be brought away. This
should be repeated until satisfied that all tissue has been removed
from the canal to the apex.
.Students often have difficulty in finding the canals in the
molar teeth. .Specific directions for approaching them are given
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