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GUTTA-PERCHA AND CEMENT. 359

will gradually be lost, and the tooth sacrificed because the dentist did
not bring the requisite amount of knowledge and skill to his aid to
meet the opportunity offered. It is in saving such teeth as these that
the reputation of the dental profession for skill and usefulness is in-
creased, and honor and gratitude are accorded to the men who can
accomplish it.
The method of procedure will vary according to the size, shape, and
position of the cavity. If small, a little amalgam can be put into the
soft cement before putting on the matrix, as described for " Cement and
Amalgam " A, the surplus cement removed from the entire edge of the
cavity, the matrix adjusted, more amalgam put in, and gold added, as
described for " Amalgam and Gold."
In larger cavities, involving more of the crown, after having filled
the approximal portion of the cavity with the cement, amalgam, and
gold, cement should be put in a second time, into which plastic gold is
carried, and the filling completed by l^uilding gold on to that wliich was
added to the amalgam, and joining it to that which was put into the
second mix of cement.
In still larger cavities, the matrix can be put on first, amalgam
packed against it to form the outer
Fig. 341.
shell of the approximal side, as
described for " Cement and
Amalgam " B ; cement is then
put into the body of the tooth,
and into this gold is pressed {not
amalgam) and afterward added
c, Amalgam and gold to to until it joins the amalgam,
a, Cement ; h, amal-
form approximal shell
thus conij)leting the metallic gam ; c, gold.
of filling; b, cement
and gold to which is shell. From the specimen
to be added gold to
shown in Y'm. 341 the matrix has been i-emoved
complete the filling.
to better show the partially completed filling.
It will be seen that the cement plays a very important part in this
operation. It will preserve the color of the tooth though it may have
been necessary to use a little of the gilded platinum, or to have the
gold extend to the cervical border of the buccal corner of the cavity
to support and bind firmly together the tooth and filling, yet it is pro-
tected from external influences which would destroy it. Fig. 342 shows
section of a filling of cement, amalgam, and gold.

Gutta-Percha and Cement.
This combination is extensively used for what may be termed tem-
porary work, in the teeth of young patients, in teeth of poor quality,
and in badlv decayed and frail teeth.