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Filing the Teeth. 135
use, is as soon as the teeth exhibit the least symptom of inci-
pient decay.
The symptoms which indicate the separation of the teeth
are a rough, discolored or decomposing state of the enamel,
marked by a brown or bluish spot, seen between the teeth,
which cannot be removed by means of polishing materials.
MANNER OF PERFORMING THE OPERATION.
The dentist has a great variety of files for the above use
some flat of various thicknesses, smooth on one or both sides,
or rough on both ; others half round, oval or beveling,
The front teeth should be separated with a flat file, never
so thick as to disfigure them, and the separation should be
effected by cutting most off from the tooth most injured. The
file should not be caried quite to the gum, but a. small projec-
tion left on either tooth to prevent their aproximation, other-
wise the object of separation will be defeated. If the file does
not completely remove the decay, it should be extirpated with
cutting instruments from the inner surfaces of the teelh.
The bicuspides should be freely separated, the separation
wider at their grinding surfaces than near the gum, and the
projection must always be left on these teeth, or they will
certainly approximate and aggravate the case : different kinds
of files are used for this purpose. The above observations are
equally applicable to the molares, under similar circum-
stances.
All the teeth are frequently attacked by decay on the ex-
ternal sides near the gum, especially if neglected; a small
round file, or cutting instruments are proper for its extirpa-
tion, if deemed advisable.
The above directions apply only to the proper method of
using the file, to arrest the progress of incipient decay. When
the disease has made further progress, it is a matter of consid-
eration important to the patient, whether to file and cut away
the decay, or fit the cavity and plug it ; for if the disease pro-
gress still further, the teeth cannot be plugged afterwards, on
Filing the Teeth. 135
use, is as soon as the teeth exhibit the least symptom of inci-
pient decay.
The symptoms which indicate the separation of the teeth
are a rough, discolored or decomposing state of the enamel,
marked by a brown or bluish spot, seen between the teeth,
which cannot be removed by means of polishing materials.
MANNER OF PERFORMING THE OPERATION.
The dentist has a great variety of files for the above use
some flat of various thicknesses, smooth on one or both sides,
or rough on both ; others half round, oval or beveling,
The front teeth should be separated with a flat file, never
so thick as to disfigure them, and the separation should be
effected by cutting most off from the tooth most injured. The
file should not be caried quite to the gum, but a. small projec-
tion left on either tooth to prevent their aproximation, other-
wise the object of separation will be defeated. If the file does
not completely remove the decay, it should be extirpated with
cutting instruments from the inner surfaces of the teelh.
The bicuspides should be freely separated, the separation
wider at their grinding surfaces than near the gum, and the
projection must always be left on these teeth, or they will
certainly approximate and aggravate the case : different kinds
of files are used for this purpose. The above observations are
equally applicable to the molares, under similar circum-
stances.
All the teeth are frequently attacked by decay on the ex-
ternal sides near the gum, especially if neglected; a small
round file, or cutting instruments are proper for its extirpa-
tion, if deemed advisable.
The above directions apply only to the proper method of
using the file, to arrest the progress of incipient decay. When
the disease has made further progress, it is a matter of consid-
eration important to the patient, whether to file and cut away
the decay, or fit the cavity and plug it ; for if the disease pro-
gress still further, the teeth cannot be plugged afterwards, on
