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44 THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES IN FILLING TEETH.

contact on that side. Then stretch it over the tooth and force it
past the contact on its other side in a similar way. Now carry-
each of the thumbs against the gingivae. At this point hold the
thumbs in position for an instant, release the hold of the rubber
with the fingers and allow it to draw around the neck of the
tooth before loosing the pressure of the thumbs. Generally the
rubber will be felt to draw around the thumbs, and then they
should be given a slight shaking motion which will allow the
rubber to draw around the tooth before releasing the pressure,
and removing them. When the rubber is applied in this way
it will generally be found to cling to the neck of the tooth and
have its cut edge turned under the gingivae. Repeat this
motion with each hole in the rubber, grasping it anew, and in
the same manner for each, and pass it over the appropriate
tooth with a similar motion. This grasp and these motions will
answer for all of the upper teeth as far back as the first molars.
When applying it with this grasp to the teeth of the left side,
the face of the patient should be turned strongly to the right; or
the operator should pass to the left side of the patient.
The second grasp is a modification of the first, which
allows the left hand of the operator to be passed around the
head of the patient when standing to the right of, and partially
behind, the chair. This will generally be found more conven-
ient for the upper teeth of the left side as far as the bicuspids.
In this the rubber is grasped with the right hand in the same
way as before, but with the left hand the grasp is inverted so
that the forefinger takes the place of the thumb, or is on the
occlusal side of the rubber, with the thumb about oj)posite the
first joint of the finger. In applying the dam with this grasp
the thumb of the right hand is placed on the li;igual side of the
tooth and the forefinger of the left on the labial, or buccal side.
Otherwise than this change of positions the motions with which
the rubber is placed are the same as with the first grasp. This
grasp is also suitable for the application of the rubber to the
lower teeth of the right side as far back as the second bicuspid,
the operator standing to the right and partially behind the
patient. In this position the forefinger of the left hand will be
placed to the lingual of the tooth and the thumb of the right
hand to the buccal.
The third grasp is a modification of the second, in which