Page 120 - My FlipBook

I04 THE TREATMENT OF TEETH

suitable polishing powder applied in any convenient
manner.
Some dentists are opposed to the use of a
burnisher; they consider it unnecessary if the
tilling is of solidly condensed cohesive gold, and
that it has a tendency to give the surface a wayy or
slightly furrowed appearance, and imparts a lustre
to the gold that is undesirable in exposed positions.
A burnisher Avill, however, consolidate and harden
the surface of solid metal. The writer was informed
by a silversmith, that the burnishing of silver goods
hardens the surface, and adds greatly to their dura-
bility. In order to obtain a fine finish they are also
always polished afterwards. If a burnished gold
filling is afterwards carefully polished, the aesthetic
objection falls to the ground.
In using sandpaper or similar discs, it is advan-
tageous to smear them over with moist soap. This
prevents the discs heating, and adds greatly to the
comfort of the patient. The disc also cuts more
smoothly. A well -soaped coarse disc will finish up
the filling quite as smoothly as a dry fine one.
Soap is decidedly better than vaseline, glycerine, or
oil. It has often been pointed out that the use of
a lubricant on a disc causes the rubbed-ofi:' gold to
adhere to it, and consequently it is an economical
proceeding. Burs should also be prevented from