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FILLING TEETH 63

owing to the manner in which fine serrations generally
facilitate the work, they are preferred by the majority
of operators. The form of the end, or condensing
surface, of the plugger makes little or no difference
to the excellence of the work. Flat, or convex,
or even ball-ended instruments may be used. A
rounded end is not so likely to damage margins,
and the smooth convex form admits of a sliding
blow being used. This is a favourite method with
some operators. There is no such thing as the
form of the plugger having anything to do with
spreading the gold. Spreading only takes place as
the result of extreme condensation, and the shape of
the instrument has nothing to do with this.
It does not matter if the gold is packed and con-
densed parallel to the walls, or at right angles to
them. Which method is adopted will depend on
the exigencies of the case. The gold may perhaps
be accurately adapted more easily and rapidly if
right-angle condensation is resorted to, but thorough
condensation in a parallel direction will produce an
equally good result.
Pluggers for packing non- cohesive gold are much
of the same forms as those used in the cohesive
method. In many cases the points may be larger
and the serrations deeper. The wedge-shaped
pluggers should taper to an absolutely sharp point.