Page 241 - My FlipBook

CHAPTER IX.
EXCLUSION OF MOISTURE—EJECTION OF THE SALIVA-
APPLICATION OF THE DAM IN SIMPLE CASES, AND
IN SPECIAL CASES PRESENTING DIFFICULT COMPLI-
CATIONS—NAPKINS AND OTHER METHODS FOR SECUR-
ING DRYNESS.
By Louis Jack, D. D. S.

The interference of the secretions of the mouth offers a considerable
obstacle to the treatment of the teeth. In some in- Fig. 206.
stances the flow is naturally excessive, and in all cases
it is stimulated by the operative procedures.
An excessive flow of saliva is uncomfortable to the
patient ; its accumulation also impedes the operation,
and interferes with the view of parts by refracting
the rays of light.
During the preparation of accessible cavities, par-
ticularly those of the upper front teeth and the occlusal
surfaces, the accumulation may be carried ofi' by the use
of a SALIVA EJECTOR, a simple form of which is shown
in Fig. 205, which form, or some modification of it, is
used where a connection can be
Fig. 205.
made with the water supply, and
ordinarily it is used in association
with the fountain cuspidors. An-
other form, which is connected
with a small reservoir of water,
is shown in Fisr. 206. Either
of these forms has a further use
for drawing off the saliva in con-
nection with the employment of
the rubber dam to lessen the dis-
comfort of the patient.

Use of Rubber Dam.
During the preparation of cavi-
ties on the approximal surfaces of
the bicuspids and molars where it is essential to have unrestricted
239