Page 99 - My FlipBook

SEPARATING TEETH. 95

upon the teeth they should be made firm by propping them with
gutta-percha. To do this the gutta-percha is softened by heat
and placed between the bows of the separator and the occlusal,
or incisal, surfaces of the teeth, and allow a little time for it to
harden before finishing the separation. This should be done at
once when the separator has been made just tight enough to
retain its position well, for in the after tightening of the screws
there is a tendency for the claws of the separator to slip further
to the gingival and, coming against the attachment of the peri-
dental membrane to the neck of the tooth, cause unnecessary
pain and some injury. This also prevents movements of the
separator which causes the patient much pain and inconvenience
while operating.
The principal objections to the Perry separator are, first, that
in the sets of six, as usually sold, there are not a sufficient num-
ber of forms to accurately fit all kinds of cases ; second, that
they are very expensive instruments ; and third, that there are
many irregular cases with teeth so out of position that they can
not be made to fit. This last objection will naturally attach to
all mechanical devices for this purpose.*
When the teeth are very irregular in the arch, other
means of separation often have to be devised. Wedges of wood
may sometimes be used, or cotton can be crowded tightly between
the teeth and tied over or about the contact point with a ligature
and accomplish a sufficient separation within a few days. Drawing
slips of rubber between the teeth and cutting the ends short is a
very efifective method of slow separation, but is apt to make the
teeth very sore. In using rubber for separating great care should
be had that the rubber does not press upon the gum septum.
This not only creates unnecessary soreness, but is liable to do
great injury to the gum septum.
A method that is excellent for very slow separation in the
molars and bicuspids is to excavate the cavity roughly and
moisten its surfaces with eucalyptol to make the gutta-percha
adhere to the walls, and then fill it solidly with gutta-percha,
filling the interproximate space solidly against the proximating
tooth. In doing this an instrument of some form should be
NoTK.— A modified form of the Perry separator, universal in its application, is now
under trial, which, if successful, will materially reduce the cost, as one instrument will
take the place of the set of six.