Page 124 - My FlipBook

no METHODS OF FILLING TEETH.

of the palatal surface of the filling with a mirror will almost invariably
disclose the fact that the young operator has not made the filling full
enough, or the surface solid enough, to allow for perfect contour after
polishing. It is therefore essential for beginners, and wise for. older
men, to examine this aspect of the filling before removing the dam.
Usually gold must be added and contour filled out. In fact, it should
be the rule to all before removal of the dam, except
polish fillings
where in special cases a sufficient reason appears for finishing the fill-
ing at a subsequent sitting.
Next we must consider labio-approximal and palato-approximal
cavities of another class. Fig. 116 shows a labio-approximal cavity
which differs from that seen in Fig. 113 in that the caries has re-
moved the enamel as far as the cutting-edge, along the labial border.
This is a rare condition, but is seen occasionally.
The preparation of this cavity is practically similar to that of Fig.
115. The filling must be retained from above. Here, however, it is
FIG. 116. FIG. 117. FIG. 118. FIG. 119.

impossible to make an incisive concavity at d, because of the absence
of the labial It is undesirable to form an undercut at this
plate. point,
and we should also abandon the the palatal border below
groove along
c, but it may be made along the labial border e with some advantage.
Unless the palatal plate be excessively weak, it is seen from the fore-
going that I should not remove it. It will serve as a protection to the
filling during mastication, relieving it from the strain that would
endanger the contour filling which would result were this part of the
tooth sacrificed. At the same time the must it also, as
filling protect
well as be To
protected by it. accomplish this, the extreme cutting-
edge should be removed, as shown in the illustration, so that the gold
may be built over it, thus protecting it from the antagonism of occlu-
sion. No special directions are needed for the packing of the gold
beyond the cautions already emphasized to pack solidly, using small
pellets, and heavy foil for the final portion.
Fig. 117 shows a palato-approximal cavity similar to the last, in
that the depredation reaches the cutting-edge. This is one of the
most trying cavities that can be presented, and one, too, which occurs
with unpleasant frequency. To remove the labial plate would be to