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CHAPTER V.
THE EXAMINATION OF TEETH PRELIMINARY TO OPERA-
TION—METHODS, INSTRUMENTS, APPLIANCES—RECORD-
ING RESULTS, ETC.

By Louis Jack, D. D. S.

The Operator.
The attitude of the body of the dental operator has considerable
influence upon the ease with which the various positions required in
operating may be assumed, and also has some bearing upon the free-
dom of his hands.
The erect position should be maintained as far as possible and the
preponderance of the weight should be sustained upon the balls of the
This secures equilibrium and enables movements to be made
feet.
with little embarrassment. The shoulders should be held well back in
order that the arms may not be cramped, and to permit the respira-
tion to be carried on deeply and with quietness. For obvious reasons
tlie breathing should be deep, slow, and always through the nose.
The precise use of the fingers requires that in each application of the
instrument a rest, as a fulcrum or base of action, should be used, and
when force is to be applied a f/uarcJ in addition is necessary to give
security to the moyement of the hand. The positions of the rest and
the nature of the guard required in operating are various, depend-
ing upon the situation of the territory of operation and somewhat
upon the natural tact of the individual, so that a definition of
them is scarcely required. Upon a careful application of the rests
and guards depends the graceful and comfortable use of the instru-
ments, and by means of them the hand passes by quick and easy grada-
tion from the most delicate touch to the safe exhibition of considerable
force. Each student should study and practice the use of the various
rests and guards until by repetition their employment becomes invol-
untary and appropriate to the situation.^
The contact with the patient should be at as few points as possible
and should be generally made with the fingers.
Examination of the teeth and mouth in all their particulars is a
^ To aid in tliis study see American System of Dentktry, vol. ii. p. 44 et seq.
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