Page 178 - My FlipBook

1 62 THE TREATMENT OF TEETH
and cuspid region—to press the teetli somewhat
apart in order to obtain room to work, and to admit
of the filling being properly contoured. To separate
the incisors make Avhat is known as a " tent " of
cotton-wool, using a tough variety of absorbent wool.
Roll the fine end very tightly, and force it between
the teeth. Keep the fine end outwards, then pull
it forward with either the fingers or pliers, until the
thicker part is tightly wedged between the teeth
;
finally cut off the protruding cotton-wool, back and
front, with scissors. The small scissors with short
slightly curved blades, that are made for trimming
the cervical margins of gold crowns, are very con-
venient for this purpose. As a rule, the fingers are
preferable to pliers for pulling the wool forward.
With the latter too great pressure may result,
and the teeth will become painful through too
rapid movement. Manipulated with discretion, this
method of using cotton-wool is convenient, answers
all requirements, and rarely causes pain. If a
wide separation is desired, this operation may be
repeated every two or three days until sufficient
space has been secured. If the edges of the cavity
are ragged and cut the wool, they may be smoothed
by passing a fine saw between the teeth. If the
teeth are so close together, and so firmly set in the
alveolar process that it is impossible to pass the