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THE USE OF WATEB. : 49

angle hand-piece remedies this defect. However, this instrument
has not the same power and is never so effective as the straight
hand-piece, and should not be used in any case in which the
straight instrument can be brought into position to do the work.
In most cases this squaring out of the pulpal or axial walls to
definite angles with the surrounding walls is done just as easily
and quickly with the hoes 12-5-6, 12-5-12, or the 8-3-6, 8-3-12,
used with a scraping motion. These instruments will reach any
of these positions if the surrounding walls have been properly
formed previous to their use.
The Use of Water.
Every dental office should have a liberal supply of both
warm and cold water. The use of water for the hands of the
operator is in itself important, and the wash basin, while not
necessarily before or about the operating chair, should be con-
venient, and in such position that the patient may at least know
when the operator washes his hands. Cleanliness and neatness
are important in gaining and in holding a practice.
Water should be constantly ready for use at the operating
chair for washing the teeth and gums of patients. For use in
the mouth, water should generally be heated to about 105 degrees
Fahrenheit, or just a little warmer than blood temperature. In
the large majority of cases, this temperature will be foimd most
grateful to patients. If, however, cases occur, as they will, in
which some of the teeth are very sensitive to thermal changes,
the temperature of 105 degrees will cause considerable pain, and
in such cases the temperature should be carefully reduced to
983/4 degrees, or blood temperature.
Every dental office should be supplied with an apparatus
for keeping water at a constant temperature for use at the chair.
There are various forms of thermostats in the market that are
effective and suitable for use in the construction of these, either
for gas or electricity, and manufacturers could furnish such an
apparatus, that would be well within the financial reach of the
ordinary practitioner. In the use of this, the water may always
be ready at the proper temperature for immediate use, saving
the annoyance of drawing and mixing hot and cold water to
obtain the proper temperature and avoiding many painful errors
in using water that is too hot or too cold on sensitive teeth.
The uses of water at the operating chair are
For cleaning the teeth preparatory to operating.
For keeping the teeth and mouth free from blood and debris