Page 53 - My FlipBook

FILLING TEETH n
Methods of PrcparirKj Gold Foil.—Gold foil is pre-
pared for introduction into teeth in the following
Avays — By simply tearing small pieces from the
:
sheet with tweezers or foil carriers ; by rolling or
twisting the sheet, or part of it, into a rope, and
then cutting it up into small pieces, or pellets us
they are termed ; by folding the sheet flat upon
itself several times, and then cutting it into strips,
or tapes, of convenient length and width ; by further
cutting these strips into small squares ; by cutting
the sheet into strips and rolling them round a
spindle into a cylinder -like form ; by tearing small
pieces from the sheet and rolling them into little
balls ; and by cutting strips or squares from a sheet
of very thick foil. Different operators use one or
more of the above-mentioned methods of preparing
the gold, as may seem best to them. The most
intimate union of the molecules of the gold, pro-
ducing the most perfect welding, density, and hard-
ness is doubtless obtained by the use of small, flat
squares, providing each one is packed flat without
any curling up or doubling of the edges. This is,
however, a very tedious and slow method of work-
ing, and the majority of operators will find they
obtain practically as good results by more rapid
methods. The use of these squares for building up
or perfecting the surfaces of fillings is a practical