Page 180 - My FlipBook

1 64 THE TREATMENT OF TEETH
generally, is that it takes several months to produce
the space, and patients are apt to forget all about it,
and as long as they are comfortable, carefully avoid
the dentist. The Perry separators are very useful
instruments for immediately securing space in many
cases. Used in the incisors, they are rather in the
way, and if the approximal cavities in bicuspids and
molars are large, extending down to the cementum,
and well cut away at the sides to secure free
margins, the points of these instruments will extend
right into the cavities, and prevent them being
satisfactorily filled.
To secure space immediately between the incisors,
first apply a strong solution of cocaine to the gum
on either side, and between the teeth ; then trim
a long stick of orange-wood to a tapering round
point ; soap it, and insert it between the teeth at
their necks, pressing it steadily in until the patient
flinches ; then wait a short time, and press in
still further, and again stop: now firmly press in
as far as possible, using considerable force. The
object of using a long, and preferably a thick stick,
is to admit of its being readily grasped in applying
the pressure. Never hammer a wedge of wood
between the incisors, the shock of the blow is most
disagreeable.