Page 190 - My FlipBook

1 76 METHODS OF FILLING TEETH.

this, if an examination shows that there is an overlap under the gum-
floss silk in chloroform, and
margin, dip slipping it between the teeth
(supposing it to be an approximal cavity), move it back and forth.
This will remove the excess without the as
disturbing filling, might
occur if the use of heated burnishers were
essayed again.

CHAPTER VIII.
METHODS OF FILLING THE CANALS OF PULPLESS TEETH A STUDY OF
TOOTH-ROOTS METHODS OF GAINING ACCESS TO AND PREPARING
CANALS WHEN AND How TO FILL ROOT-CANALS.

TEETH are filled that they may be saved ; that is, a tooth which
is attacked by caries is in danger of destruction and final loss, and a
is inserted in the hope of it from this result. If a tooth
filling saving
which simply has a cavity in it is in a precarious condition, how
much more must this be true where the pulp has died ? One might
that a tooth which
almost say is is half lost. Its future
pulpless
depends upon the insertion of a proper root-filling ; and where it
receives unskillful attention in this direction, only a small chance exists
of its long remaining a healthy member of the arch.
The loss of the pulp is not in itself the cause of disaster, for pulp-
less teeth may remain healthy and useful indefinitely. The trouble
is that if the dead pulp be left in, its putrescence becomes a source of
excitation which usually results in pericementitis, probably followed
by alveolar abscess. The remedy lies in the thorough removal of
the pulp, the hygienic cleansing and sterilizing of the canal, and the
insertion of a root-filling which will completely replace the pulp,
the chamber.
mechanically filling
I may, then, at the outset take up a consideration of the obstacles
which will hinder the thoroughness of root-filling. There are skillful
men, who are also reliable, who will unhesitatingly claim that they
fill all roots to, or very nearly to, their apices. This would involve
such treatment of the buccal roots of superior molars, and the mesial
roots of inferior molars, which are usually admitted to be most diffi-
cult. Other men will admit that are not sc successful, but feel
they
assured that they can manage all anterior teeth. That any man prac-
ticing dentistry has succeeded in completely filling the canal of every
case which he has undertaken, I do not believe. That they may
believe that such success has been attained I do not doubt, and
therefore I accept such statements as honestly intended, but erro-
neous from the fact that the have not considered teeth
gentlemen