Page 184 - My FlipBook

METHODS OF FILLING TEETH.
170
better service in my practice than any other. No filling, however,
will endure, if as the enamel around it will
green-stain supervenes,
be readily attacked and destroyed, as in the first instance.
There is one other kind of
cavity which I promised to describe,
though not strictly a surface cavity. In fact, it may scarcely be
called a cavity at all, being, if anything, two cavities.
In the mouths of old people, recession of the gum not infrequently
progresses to an extent which would seem to menace the tooth.
So much of the root is exposed to view that it is marvelous that
the tooth should not be loose. Yet often we find such teeth quite
in the molar the recession has been so ex-
firm, although region
tensive that the bifurcation is plainly in view. As a result of this,
a lodging-place for food being afforded, occasionally caries attacks
the inner sides of the roots, until the pulps being approached some
is felt, and the
pain patient comes in for relief.
P Any endeavor to prepare separate cavities in each
root would be unwise, for even if
successfully
filled the space between the bifurcation would
continue to act as a for debris, so that
repository
caries would recur. I treat this space as though
it were a cavity, simply removing as much caries
as possible, when a naturally retentive shape will
result. Where the gum is irritated so that it
bleeds easily, I like gutta-percha, and prefer the
pink to the white. Where the gum is firm, and
the not or else dead, I fill with
pulps exposed,
amalgam. My method is to cut a piece of clean tin foil of such a shape
that it can be placed between the roots, covering the gum, thus
forming a floor against which to pack the amalgam. When the filling
end of tin is turned and burnished into the
is in, the projecting up
amalgam. In Fig. 199 we see the space between the buccal roots
of a molar, and at a the tin foil.
TEMPORARY FILLINGS.

Passing from permanent, I may profitably discuss temporary fill-
I do not mean a
ings. By temporary filling probational filling.
The latter term should imply a filling placed in a tooth where some
of a of
doubt exists as to the advisability inserting permanent filling
metal. It is therefore usually of oxyphosphate or gutta-percha.
Whilst in a measure intended to serve a temporary purpose, the fact
that the tooth is in a doubtful condition of health renders it impera-
tive that the should be and so that
filling placed securely thoroughly,
it may remain undisturbed as long as possible, thus affording the
tooth ample time for full restoration to such a state of health that it