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48 THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES IN FILLING TEETH.

will result. In this case it will be necessary to arrange to use
greater force. To do this, wrap the ligature on the little finger
of each hand, noting carefully that the length between the fingers
is just right. It will often be necessary to try this length a
number of times before getting it to exactly suit the particular
case. Then bring the ligature over the contact and under one
of the fingers or thumb with which the rubber is forced down,
and stretch down the rubber into the embrasure as far as possible;
then draw the ligature with the little fingers so as to tighten it
on the rubber to hold it, and work the finger on the opposite
side of the tooth onto the ligature, so that it may be forced on
both sides of the tooth at the same time. The accomplishment
of this last movement is the most difficult point, but it can
generally be done after a few efforts, and then the operator has
command of the situation. The rubber can be forced into the
contact with all of the power of the fingers. After forcing the
first contact the grasp of the rubber must generally be released, a
second ligature wrapped on the fingers, the rubber grasped anew,
and the second contact forced in the same way. This may now
be continued until the rubber has been placed on a sufficient
number of teeth. Generally, when the rubber has been forced,
past one close contact this holds the rubber as a starting point,
and the rest is much easier of accomplishment. Very much of
the difficulties of adjusting the rubber is relieved by having an
assistant pass a ligature, or set a clamp in position in these
difficult cases.
Another method of avoiding the most serious difficulty in
passing ligatures to force the rubber between teeth far back in the
mouth is to set a special clamp on the tooth first, and then throw
the rubber over the bows of the clamp. For this purpose the
fifth grasp should be used, and the hole in the rubber should be
a little larger than usual. The ends of the forefingers should be
placed fully to the distal side of the hole, or so that its distal
edge is fully between the finger-ends and upon their planter
surfaces. Then it must be so stretched that the distal edge of
the hole may be passed over the distal edge of the bow of the
clamp, starting it first over its lingual portion and sweeping it
around over the buccal portion. Then release the rubber, and
by a little careful motion of the fingers it is allowed to close
around the tooth under the clamp. This is generally done easily