Page 33 - My FlipBook

REMOVAL OF TARTAR 17

not be easily accomplished, the No. 1 Howe scaler,
or some similar instrument, may be applied to
the lingual surface, forcing the sharp point down-
wards and sideways in the direction of the inter-
proximal spaces. This readily breaks away the
tartar that covers the interstices between the teeth,
and the mass that remains on the lingual surface of
each tooth can be frequently dislodged in one piece
by placing the point against the ledge or projection
that is left at the sides of the teeth, and lightly
levering sideways.
Cutting into the tartar in the direction of the
gum with a suitable chisel, or placing the edge of
the No. 4 Allport scaler underneath the tartar at
the gum line, and levering or pulling upwards, or
in the direction of the cutting edges of the teeth,
may also be resorted to with advantage. Nos. 11,
12, 13, and 14 of the Abbott set (the second or
later set) have similar cutting or scraping edges to
the No. 4 Allport instrument, and are very con-
veniently curved for use on bicuspids and molars,
particularly in the lower jaw. The instrument that
has in itself the widest range is the No. 1 of the
Howe set, and it can be used in any direction as
a cutter or breaker-up of the tartar, as well as a
scraper. For scraping the surfaces of the teeth
quite smooth, by removing every particle that