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CHAPTER XXVI.
THE USE OF GUTTA-PERCHA IN FILLING TEETH.

Gutta-Percha has its place in various operations upon the teeth.
It is not acted upon by the fluids of the mouth and is quite
permanent Avhen placed in locations protected from the force of
mastication.
It is a good tooth preserver as decay does not readily take place
in cavities so filled.
Base Plate Gutta-Percha is the best form to be had. It comes in
the Avhite and pink colors, the last named being the most dur-
able in positions exposed to wear as it gets the harder upon cooling.
Filling- Cavities with Gutta-Percha. This material is indicated
in subgingival cavities, both buccal and proximal, where a fill-
ing that is a very poor conductor of heat is desired, on account of
close proximity to the pulp, the pulp being not yet exposed.
It is also indicated for those distressing cases where there is a
decay started in the occlusal surface of a lower third molar which
has erupted with its occlusal surface at an angle of about forty-
five degrees to the distal of the second molar. Such cases cannot
as a rule be properly extended to check decay in the use of amal-
gam or gold.
The gutta-percha filling will check decay and if renewed at
stated periods will produce sufficient separation for correct filling
or to render extraction easy.
Method of Preparation and Filling. The cavity should be freed
of all decay and the cleavage of the enamel secured, omitting the
marginal bevel. The cavity should be sterilized and dried, then
slightly moistened with campho-phenique or eucalyptol. The
gutta-percha should then be warmed and immediately crowded to
position. Care should be taken that the material is not overheated
as slight burning destroys the durability of rubber.
The gutta-percha should be introduced piece by piece sufficient
to a little more than fill the cavity. The surplus must be wiped off
flush with the cavity margins with Avarmed burnishers. Finally
the surface should be wiped with a cotton ball carrying chloro-
form.
For Root Canal Filling's. The gutta-percha is dissolved in chloro-
form to the consistency of molasses, and carried to the canals by
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