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74 THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES IN FILLING TEETH.

the position of the chair and the patient. In the fifth cohimn the
teeth over which the rubher may lie applied by the various grasps
are represented by figures for the upper teeth and letters for the
lower. The perpendicular line in the center of this column indi-
cates the median line of the mouth and the upper and lower teeth
of each side are nmnbered from 1 to 8, or a to h, in each direction
from the median line. The operator is considered as facing the
patient and the teeth on the right side of the i)atient's mouth are
opposite the operator's left hand, as indicated by the letters r
and L at the top of the column. For example, with the second
grasp, the operator's left first finger would be on the occlusal
side of the rubber and the left thumb on the gingival side, while
the right thumb would be on the occlusal side and the right first
finger on the gingival. The operator would stand on the right
side behind the chair, and have the chair thrown well back to
apply the rubber over the upper left lateral incisor, cuspid, first
and second bicuspid teeth; or have the chair upright, and the
patient's chin down to apply the rubber over the lower right
central and lateral incisors, cuspid, first and second bicuspids.
It should be understood that it is not attempted in this tabu-
lation to give the exact teeth over which the rubber may be placed
by each grasp, but to suggest the general positions in the mouth.
The iDarticular manner of grasping the rubber dam when
about to apply it, is very important and should be studied with
much care in the beginning of the student's experience ; and good
habits of practice formed. There are five ways of grasping the
rubber dam, which are called the Rubber Dam Grasps, each of
which is effective for placing it upon the teeth easily and quickly.
Certain ways of grasping the rubber dam are particularly suited
to the application of it in certain positions in the mouth, or to
certain teeth; also to certain positions of the operator when
applying it. If these are well learned in the beginning, it will
save much time and much of the difficulty in attaining facility in
this work. It is one thing to get the rubber dam well placed after
a scramble, and quite another to place it without worry to either
the patient or the operator.
The illustrations representing the rubber dam grasps and
different movements are comprised in Figures 66 to 8.S, and will
be treated as a group to which frequent references will be made.
Each grasp of the rubber is illustrated. Another illustration
shows the position at the end of the first movement in placing it
on the teeth ; or, at the time the rubljcr has been carried over the
tooth to the gingivae. A third illustration shows the position