Page 140 - My FlipBook

120 Curative Treatment of Caries.
under the influence of caries, and is therefore also objec-
tionable."
"Fusible Metal.—A composition used by some in this coun-
try, and generally in France, consisting of bismuth, 8 parts,
lead, 5 parts, and of tin 3 parts, soluble at a heat of boiling
water, and called fusible metal. In the first place, this me-
tallic compound is as liable to corrode as either lead or tin,
and possesses all the other noxious chemical qualities of both.
" Secondly, the metal introduced into this cavity at the
temperature of boiling water, will not only destroy the vitality
of the living fibres, but also the whole surface of the healthy
bone, and thereby produce some dead bony substance and
caries, the very disease intended to be cured by it, which will
inevitably destroy the teeth.
" Thirdly, the irritation of the hot metal subjects the living
membrane of the tooth to inflammation, and destroys the
vitality of the tooth.
" A fourth objection is, that the metal being poured into the
cavity in its liquid and expanded state, will contract as it
cools ; and consequently, instead of being a perfect filling up,
it leaves interstices for the reception of foreign matter, which
will destroy the tooth more quickly than if the cavity had not
been stopped at all."
" la fact, gold is the only metal, the durability of which can
be depended upon and which combines all the advantages re-
quire] for the due performance and success of this difficult
and important operation. It is the softest and most malleable
metal; it will never corrode, and it produces the most beauti-
ful effect upon the appearance of the tooth stopped with it, so
much so indeed, that a front tooth which is properly plugged,
in such a manner that the gold is not seen, is actually improv-
ed, not less in appearance than in health.
"Even gold as it is often prepared for the dentists, though
free from copper, is not unfrequcntly alloyed with silver,
which renders it harder and in some measure liable to corrode-,