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H HEX AXD HO W TO FILL ROO T- CANALS. \ 9 1

WHEN AND How TO FILL ROOT-CANALS.
In the actual it is essential to con-
discussing filling of root-canals,
sider, at one and the same time, the condition of the tooth and the
method of its canal ; for the fact that skilled
filling despite many opera-
tors have but a method of I deem it wiser to
single treating all roots,
be guided somewhat by the state of health presented.
Before proceeding, however, I will allude to some of the various
materials which have been largely recommended, and comment upon
them.
Gold. Gold at one time was counted the only true material for
a canal. If the tooth needed in the it also needed
filling gold cavity,
this precious metal in the root. The method adopted was to twist a
rope of foil stiff enough to allow of its being forced into the canal,
and yet soft enough so that it could be condensed thereafter. The
method condemns itself, for it is apparent with but a moment's con-
sideration that wherever the foramen was the would be
large rope
forced through, with the probability of causing future irritation and
abscess. This is true of other materials, but in a less degree because
of their Lest some may claim that I am this
plasticity. exaggerating
danger, I may say that I have frequently, in earlier years of practice,
removed abscessed roots, finding gold projecting beyond the foramina.
Lead. Lead has been used considerably, and by some it is claimed
that it exerts a therapeutic effect. Just how this is accomplished has
never been satisfactorily explained to me, and I doubt its truth. It is
used in a single cone, trimmed to shape with the knife, and driven into
the root. The same accident of passing through the canal may occur,
and again it may be wedged into the upper part of the canal without
and the foraminal end.
reaching filling
Wood. Within recent years it has been taught by some that a
most excellent way of filling a root-canal is to trim the end of a stick
of orange or other wood, and after dipping it into some germicide
drive it into the canal, leaving it there, I cannot too strongly con-
demn this method. Once more we find the material driven through,
the canal end ; and even where this does not happen, abscesses are
common. I have seen a very large number of them. Then, when
it is imperative to remove the canal-filling, the operation will prove
so that it cannot be withdrawn
most trying. The wood splinters,
with forceps, tweezers, or pliers, whilst a drill simply tears it to shreds
which are still more difficult of removal.
Cotton. Next to wood, I think this the most despicable thing to
leave permanently within a tooth-root. I have heard men tell of
and which
removing cotton which had been in teeth for many years,
had kept the canals sweet, there being a noticeable odor of carbolic