Page 167 - My FlipBook

FINGER POSITIONS. 67

change his position ; but may change the position of the })atient's
head to gain a better view. It is not a suitable finger position
for doing any considerable amount of operating.
In Figure 60 i.s shown another cross-mouth ))osition, in which
the grasp of the instrument comes out very clearly, the instru-
ment reaching across the mouth to the occlusal surface of the
lower molars on the oiiposite side. The left hand, it will be noted,
is in an excellent position for exposing the field of operation, and
it steadies the lower jaw by its grasp on the teeth with the third
and fourth fingers under the chin. On lower molars that have a
very strong lingual inclination, this position becomes very impor-
tant in some parts of the operation of condensing gold, also in
some parts of the operation of chipping enamel, and various por-
tions of the work of excavating. The position may be changed
frequently with other positions, especially a position on the right
side behind for the use of enamel hatchets. By turning the
patient's face sharply toward the operator, very much of the
work in occlusal and mesio-occlusal cavities may be done from
this position. The principal objection to it is the long reach of
the instrument.
In Figure 61 we have the opposite cross-mouth position, in
which the instrument reaches across from the right side to the
teeth on the left side of the mouth, which is used for similar
purposes and can be assumed at will without particular change
of the position of the operator from the usual one in operating
upon these teeth. It is only a change in the position of the hands,
for in operating on the left side of the lower jaw, the position
on the right side behind will be the better position for general
use ; and the instrument hand of the operator will vary accord-
ing to the necessities of the case. In the few cases in which
cavities occur in the lingual surfaces, facility in the use of cross-
mouth positions becomes especially important. In some of these,
the entire operation must be done across the mouth.
The few finger positions and finger rests illustrated will
afford much opportunity for forming variations of the cases
shown to suit the varied conditions that are presented in practice.
In these suggestions of finger positions, no pretense has
been made of illustrating, or even mentioning, all of the better
positions. The object has been to give such notice of this subject
of positions at the chair and of finger positions as will be some-
thing of a guide in the search that each student or dentist may
make for convenient finger positions and rests to serve him in
cases as they appear in practice. They should be carefully