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THE RUBBER DAM. 89

greatly to the usefulness of the rubber dam by rendering it
secure and relieving the operator of care or anxiety as to the
dryness and cleanliness of his field of operation. The question
of what clamps to use is often a troublesome one. Many dentists
have boxes of them in the endeavor to have something for any
case that may be presented. As often as otherwise they fail to
find just that which they want. All things considered, it seems
best to limit the number very rigidly and make them do. Besides
the pair of special clamps, Figure 90, one or two clamps for
molars will be a sufficient numl)er. Then, one or two selections
for possible use in bicuspids in cases in which the molars are
missing. The two pairs of root clamps, Figures 91-94, are also
essential.
In selecting the molar and bicuspid clamps, it should be a
first object to obtain very strong bows in order to have a clamp
that will not be wabbling about on the tooth and annoying the
patient, hurting the gums, etc. A light bow that takes hold of a
tooth gingerly is a nuisance. They are always on the wiggle and
are generally gouging the patient's gums at each wiggle. A
clamp with a strong bow does not hurt a tooth if put on and taken
off carefully, and its steadiness renders it comparatively com-
fortal)le. The foot of the clamp should never be quite as liroad
mesio-distally as the tooth on which it is placed if it is to be
used at all during the excavation and filling of cavities or in the
finishing of fillings. Otherwise it will often be in the way, Umit-
ing the field of operation unnecessarily. There is no use what-
ever for wings and such things for any one who has learned to
handle the rubber dam easily and well.
In filling cavities in the bicuspids, the rubber should be
secured on the molar tooth distal to them with a rubber dam
clamp. The bow of the clamp holds the rublier out of the way
and gives space and a better view of the field of operation. In
excavating and filling cavities in the molars, this is still more
necessary. Wlienever practicable, the clamp should be placed
upon the first molar for operations on the bicuspids, and on the
second molar for oijerations on the first molar. Generally, it is
thought that in operations on the second molar not involving the
distal surface, a clamp with a bow standing well to the distal
should be placed on the same tooth in order to avoid the difficulty
of placing the dam on the third molar. But if one has learned to
handle the special clamp and the rul)ber with the fifth grasp, it
is about as easy to place it on this as any other tooth. In distal
cavities in the second molar it is essential. Eubber dam clamps
14a