Page 76 - My FlipBook

62 METHODS OF FILLING TEETH.
deserving of much praise. The dry phosphate powder is mixed with
the fine of an alloy, and afterward used in connection with the
filings
liquid, exactly as plain oxyphosphate fillings are made. The presence
of the metal interferes with the mixing only a little, and the usual
be attained. A of this kind is to be
putty-like consistency may filling
and allowed to set two or three It then be
placed days. may polished
by using a smooth stone in the engine.
advocated in all but I consider
I have seen these fillings positions,
them more useful in masticating surfaces than elsewhere. The dis-
advantage of any cement filling is that it slowly dissolves out. By
adding the alloy we have an ordinary phosphate filling which holds a
number of of metal in close As with any other
particles contiguity.
phosphate, the material itself gradually wears away. As the metal
does not dissolve, it is plain that the surface becomes roughened, as
the metal become more and more exposed. For this reason it
filings
is not wise to use the method in approximal surfaces, since the
will invite decay. But in the surface a
roughened filling masticating
different result obtains. As fast as the metal are
totally filings exposed,
they are flattened down by attrition, till at length the whole surface is
metallic, and can be burnished just as an amalgam filling may be.
After this, the phosphate being thoroughly protected by this metallic
veneer, there is no further waste.
are in
These fillings especially good temporary teeth, though I
sometimes use them in adult mouths. When I do, it is because of their
Where a
low conductive power. cavity is very sensitive, and it is
deemed advisable to place a filling temporarily until such time as when,
the sensitiveness been controlled, gold may be inserted, this
having
combination of an alloy mixed with a phosphate is excellent.
Copperamalgam has been so much in vogue during the last few years
that I can scarcely pass this subject without alluding to it. I have
only a few facts to mention, and will leave deductions to the reader.
When copper amalgam was introduced into this country as a sub-
stitute for the ordinary alloys, its advocates claimed that aside from
not having many disadvantages attributable to ordinary amalgams, it
possessed a therapeutic quality, in that no carious action could recur
in its Practice has not substantiated this claim. Copper
vicinity.
amalgam fillings, from the hands ofpractitioners known to me clinically
as expert operators, have come under my observation leaking badly.
When a copper amalgam filling becomes thoroughly blackened, is
r and
then w ell polished, finally assumes a bright ebony-like surface, it
seems to be the most admirable tooth-saver known. This is a success.
When, on the contrary, it does not become black, but remains a dull,
lusterless it will be found
gray, readily removable with an excavator,
and will waste away as surely as a phosphate filling. This is a failure.