Page 51 - My FlipBook

CLAMPS. 37
more so and stands within the arch. Here the weaving alone will
usually not only be sufficient, but will force the irregular tooth into
proper position.
It is noticed that in the figure both rows of ligatures are well away
from the gum line. To accomplish this the dam must be placed, and
before in each tooth the labial and surfaces should
just tying lingual
be smeared lightly with sandarac varnish. Ligatures thus treated, and
tied by any of the methods described, flax thread being used, will not
for several months and are clean. Of course, all thread should
slip
be waxed.
Clamps. The usefulness of a clamp largely depends upon its grip
upon the tooth to which it may be applied, and this in turn is pro-
to its and to its force. When not in use
portionate adaptation spring
the jaws should approach each other so nearly that the distance be-
tween them is about one-half of the diameter of the tooth which it is
intended to encircle, and the spring should be so strong that when
stretched over such a tooth it will bind it firmly. A clamp for a bi-

FIG. 51. FIG. 52. FIG. 53.

cuspid should have a spring so powerful that one could not endure
the pressure were it placed upon the little finger, and one for a
molar should cause discomfort if similarly placed. This is a fair test,
and all which do not so pinch the finger would prove worthless in
general practice.
If the practitioner can afford it, he should supply himself with a set
of Delos Palmer clamps, because these are more accurate in their
adaptation than any others which have been devised. Where the
dentist is compelled to economize, he will be able to get along com-
fortably with just three clamps, excluding cervix clamps. These are
bicuspid clamp No. 27, and molar clamps Nos. 26 and 60. Of these
latter, No. 60 is adaptable to more cases than any one clamp that I
have ever used, but it will sometimes occur that a longer arm to the
bow would give a better view of the cavity, by stretching the rubber
backward. Then No. 26 is preferable.
A clamp is not needed with any of the incisors or cuspids as a rule,
except for cavities occurring along the labial festoon. For this posi-
tion the ideal clamp, which will be universal in its application, is still
to be invented. There are two, however, which, within their limita-