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RETAINING PLUGS. 743

Several teeth moved in diiferent positions may be retained by bands
soldered together and cemented in place. (See Fig. 719.)
Fig. 720 shows Dr. Case's retainer/ which consists of a series of
bauds soldered together at their points of contact with an excess of

Fig. 719. Fig. 720.

Bands soldered together for retention. Case's retainer.
solder in front. The labial surfaces of all but the end bands are then
cut away so as to leave only a small portion between the teeth, and
these portions filed so as to resemble gold fillings. The appliance is
stiifened by soldering a piece of swaged plate to the lingual surfaces.
(See Fig. 721.) The bands should be constructed of very thin gold-
faced platinum or German silver, prefer-
ably the former, and the whole appliance
firmly cemented to the teeth.
Retaining Plugs.— It not infre-
quently happens that on account of the
crowded and irregular positions of teeth,
Swaged strip for strengthening.
cavities of decay have been formed which
can be used, as suggested by Dr. Farrar, for the in.sertion of gold
retaining plugs or fillings. For instance, approximal fillings may be
inserted in an incisor and built out so as to touch the contiguous teeth
for retaining a tooth ; or a tooth that has been moved into line may be
retained by gold fillings inserted in approximal cavities and built out
laterally so as to rest on the labial or lingual surfaces of contiguous
teeth ; or a tooth that has been rotated may be retained by one such
filling.
This method of retention is especially useful with patients who have
advanced beyond the years in which it is generally considered advisable
to regulate teeth. The writer had a patient forty-five years old for
whom he moved two teeth forward into line. After an immovable
retaining appliance had remained in place for over two years the teeth
upon being released moved back perceptibly. Gold fillings were inserted
in approximal cavities and built out as suggested above, with the inten-
tion of leaving: them indefinitelv.
Care should be taken to make these projections as slender as the
^ Ohio Dental Journal, January 1898, vol. xvii. No. 1.