Page 178 - My FlipBook

17() EXAMINATION OF TEETH.

of piano-wire, No. 18 B. & S. gauge, filed to acuteness
and bent to a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 145.
This form may be ap])lied to all surfaces of the teeth,
and but slight modifications are needed to explore posi-
tions difficult of direct approach. At part a the size of
the finer ones should be No. 25, and near the ultimate
point, h, No. 30. The temper of this kind of steel gives
sufficient stiffness and also ])ermits slight bending to make
modifications of the form to meet all requirements. The
ultimate point may be sharpened and renewed at pleasure.
The handles in which these instruments are inserted may
be of wood, with metal sockets which should be of sufficient
length to come into contact with the finger ; or they may
be fixed in metal holders, in which case the latter should
be tapered to avoid weight and to give balance. Either
form of handle should be round, to permit fractional
rotary change of direction. Fig. 145 shows an explorer,
which consists of a socket, into Avhich the wire point is
secured by means of powdered shellac or powdered sulfur.
The points may be displaced and renewed M'hen required.
This socket fits into the usual cone-socket handles. Fig,
146 is a self-contained socket for the same purpose.
Explorers of this kind may be re-formed by straight-
ening and then re-dressing between two emery-cloth disks
in the dental engine, when the points can be shaped at
will.
Floss silk is used to pass between the approximal
surfaces of the teeth at the places which are in too close
contact to permit the ingress of fine explorers. In these
positions floss silk may detect the presence of superficial
softening of the enamel by the character of the friction
or by the fraying of its fibers. It
also is of use in determining the con-
dition of fillings on approximal faces
or the presence of a deposit of sali-
vary calculus at similar parts. The

Dow electric lamp for mouth illumination with reflectors. Reflector A is jointed to vary the angle
of reflection. Reflector B is for illumination of the fauces. Reflector Cls for lateral illumination.