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METHODS OF FILLING TEETH.
134
opening of the bite to any extensive degree. The patient is usually
old, and will be happier if not asked to adopt a new habit. In the
tooth figured, it is essential to completely tip the edge with gold.
I should begin by shortening the tooth equal to the amount of gold
which I had decided should extend over the edge. This would at
the same time bring the tooth into a more symmetrical form, as
shown in Fig. 145. The preparation of the cavity is simple, con-
of the formation of a and a around to render the
sisting cup, groove
shape retentive. There is usually no difficulty from the pulp, which
we commonly find either devitalized or calcified. For filling, gold
and platinum is preferable to gold, because more resistant.
A somewhat similar form of tooth might occur as a result of frac-
ture, but in that case we should have to consider the presence of the
which now would not be found calcified. We
pulp, might make some
slight undercutting, as shown in Fig. 85, where a failure by another
dentist was recorded, but it would be wiser to also
rely upon screws,
as indicated in Fig. 96, where a lateral incisor was built down.
FIG. 146.

the most cases the incisive are those
Possibly trying along edges
which appear as seen in Fig. 146, where we have incisors in which the
incisive edge is partly absent as a result of fracture, whilst what is left
is thin, friable, and malformed. Such teeth have been referred to
syphilitic taint, to rickets, and to measles. Whatever the etiology of
the condition may be ultimately proven to be, in the meanwhile we
have to contend with it as it is. Where neither fracture nor caries has
however the affected teeth we
supervened, unsightly may appear, may
decide upon non-interference. When, however, one or more of the
teeth are found as in Fig. 146, we are compelled to do something.
To attempt a gold filling in the break only would be folly, for the
do not offer a reasonable of their
adjacent parts hope maintaining
Neither could we the so that it would have a
integrity. place gold
commendable Most often the serious
fairly appearance. disfigure-
ment is chiefly confined to the four incisors, extending higher on the
centrals than on the laterals. Rarely the incisive ends may be ground
off similarly to the method indicated in Figs. 121 and 122. Suppose
that we decide against shortening the teeth, and determine upon fill-