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FILLING ROOT CANALS. 149

If the fillings are good, proceed as if the tooth was sound, cut-
ting through the filling, or through the dentin, as the case
demands. If there is reason for removing the filling, do so at
once, and open the pulp chamber through the cavity.
Filling Root Canals.
When it is decided that the conditions are right for filling the
root canal, or canals of a tooth, the rubber dam must be placed
and the included region disinfected. Then if a treatment has
been in the canal the gutta-percha filling and the dressing is
removed and a critical examination made as to its condition. If
this is satisfactory, first see that the canal is reasonably dry,
then flood it with eucalyptol or oil of cajuput, liberally applied
upon a wisp of cotton wrapped upon a broach, and dry out the
excess with a fresh wisp of cotton that has first been dipped in
the oil and well squeezed out with another wisp of cotton. Try
the sizes of the root canal pluggers in the canal, always washing
the point with an antiseptic first, and select one that will
pass nearly, but not quite, to the apical foramen. Select a
gutta-percha cone and cut a portion of it about three or four
millimeters long of the size which, from the information gained
of the size of the apical end of the canal, will be sufficient to fully
fill the opening and not force through the apical end. Warm the
point of the root plugger selected, and holding the piece of
gutta-percha cone in the thumb and finger of the left hand, bring
its point quickly in contact with its large end, and hold it a
moment, or until the gutta-percha has stuck to the end of the
instrument. Dip this into eucalyptol, which will soften the
surface of the gutta-percha slightly; convey this to the root canal
and start it in carefully, and carry it firmly into its apical end.
On withdrawing the root plugger the gutta-percha cone will
remain, closing the apical end of the root. Repeat this with
other bits of gutta-percha cones ; cut them from larger parts of
the cones as the canal is filled to its larger portion and use the
larger root canal plugger. After the first two or three pieces
the subsequent ones may be slightly softened by passing them
quickly over the flame of the annealing lamp and directly into
the canal. Continue this until the canal is full.
This plan of filling root canals is applicable to all except the
very smallest, and to all positions. In some of the smaller ones