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GREEN-STAIN.
157

can be definitely known, cavities should be formed and gold fillings
inserted. Because of the peculiar shape, it is not difficult to deter-
mine this point. The procedure is as follows : Burnish a piece of
heavy gold foil, No. 1 20, into the cavity, allowing
the edges to extend slightly over the enamel borders. FIG. 1 80.
Then fill with oxyphosphate mixed stiff enough so
that in pressing it into place the gold will be more
thoroughly adapted to the cavity. When this is
set, remove it, and keep it for reference. Fig. 180
makes the method more the relation
intelligible,
between the phosphate and gold plug, a, and the
eroded part, being plainly shown. If a year later
this plug exactly fits into the cavity of erosion, the
disease may be considered cured, and a gold filling
is indicated. When it is here admitted that the ero-
sion has not spread in a year, the question may be
asked, Why fill at all ? The answer is, that though
I should wait a year before deciding, I should not
neglect to have the patient report during that period. It frequently
occurs that after erosion ceases, true caries attacks the point, which is
readily understood, since a good lodging-place for debris is afforded.
Hence the necessity for filling.
In the second class of cases, one must feel that interference by
can the eroded
filling accomplish only one thing. By covering up
surface further erosion may widen, but cannot deepen, the cavity. If
the operator shall decide that this is sufficient gain, it may be accom-
plished with oxyphosphate as well as with gold, and with less trouble.
The final result, where the disease is not checked, will generally be a
for artificial crowns.
necessity
The groove variety, I think, is more slow in its progress than
either of the others. I usually do not fill them until they are deep
enough to appear like cavities, when I insert gold, expecting the fill-
the fact to the I have
ings to be lost in time, explaining patient.
seen such work last so well, however, that I am inclined to believe
that it has the advantage of making a slow disease even slower in
its destructive action. The formation of all these cavities would be
similar to those occurring from caries, which will be described later.
Green-Stain. Green-stain is a discoloration or stain, greenish in
color, found upon the labial, buccal, and occasionally upon the palatal
surfaces of teeth. In the mouths of uncleanly persons it would be
to indicate a more direct cause than the constant
difficult, perhaps,
contact of putrefying food. In the mouths of those who would claim
to be of I think I can explain more exactly the presence
cleanly hab'it,
of this dangerous stain. First, it is to be observed that the stain