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CHAPTER XXXII.

EXCLUSION OF MOISTURE

The Exclusion of Moisture from most operations upon the teeth
is essential to the successful manipulation of most filling materials,
the sterilization of tooth structures and the prevention of infec-
tion, the cleanliness of cavity walls and margins, that a perfect
view of the cavity may be obtained, that the extent of decalcifica-
tion may be observed, to diminish the pain of operations on living
dentine and to protect the soft tissues from injury in the use of
caustic drugs, as Avell as to save time of both patient and operator.
The Methods of Securing' Dryness during operations are here
given.
The Rubber Dam, invented and given to the dental profession in
18G4 by Dr. Sanford C. Barnum, of New York City, is widely used.
Absorbents, as napkins, cotton rolls and pads packed about the
teeth and near the mouths of ducts, assisted by specially con-
structed clamps upon the teeth are also used. Dryness is also se-
cured by the use of the saliva ejector whereby the mouth is con-
tinually drained of the secretions.
The Objections to the Use of the Rubber Dam are entirely on
the part of the patient and can generally be traced to awkward
and unskilled handling on the part of the operator. Every oper-
ator should become dextrous with each method, that he may em-
ploy the one most expedient in every case, using the one least
objectionable to the patient.
The Neglect of Dryness in dental operations is to invite disaster
in root canal treatment, as Avell as short life to all fillings so placed,
and the operator who makes it a practice to neglect this essential,
obtains only a partial success in that which he attempts.
So Important Is Dryness that a patient should be warned that
a certain operation, where moisture has been allowed to flood the
field, is short-lived at best and is liable to failure from this cause.
Such conditions seldom arise but are occasionally' met with, due
to location and extent of decaj' and also from the fact that there
are some patients who are nauseated by the presence of the dam
or absorbents about all but the most anterior teeth.
All Filling Materials are better manipulated under dry condi-
tions at some stage of the operation, porcelain being the only one
demanding moist conditions at any stage of the process. This
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