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1 68 MECHANICAL DENTISTRY AND METALLURGY.
then laid on the piece of gold to be used for the band (which
should be 22 k. and about 30 gauge) ; this should be cut the
exact length of the ivirc, and about an eighth of an inch in
width, unless for special reasons it is necessary to have it
wider. This small strip of gold should now be annealed
over a lamp or Bunsen burner, then with round-
nosed pliers brought into a circular form, and
with the fingers the ends should be carefully
pressed by each other. This will form a slight
kink in the band, so that the ends, if now
gently drawn apart and let go, will spring
accurately together ready for soldering, a butt-
joint being stronger and for obvious reasons
preferable to a lap-joint.
Soldering the Band.—In soldering the band, a corner of
the two edges should be grasped with the soldering pliers,
the joint should then be slightly coated with borax, and a
small piece of 20 k. solder placed over it, on the outside of
the baud (see Fig. 134). It should then be held in the
flame of a Bunsen burner until the solder flows, at which
time it must be instantly reiuoved. With a little experience
and care in soldering in this way (over a Bunsen burner),
it can be done more conveniently, in less time, and with
much less danger of burning the band, than with the blow-
pipe.
Fitting Band to the Root.—The band is now ready to
be fitted or adjusted tO' the root. If the end of the root is
not round, as is usually the case, the sides of the band can
be flattened or otherwise shaped with slight pressure from
the thumb and finger or with suitable pliers. The upper
border should then be trimmed to conform to the shape of the
alveolar process or the line of the gum-attachment ; in many
cases, unless the band is greatly depressed or cut out on the
sides, it will be found that the gum will be detached from