Page 85 - My FlipBook

FILLING TEETH 69
To open a mesial or distal cavity in the six upper
front teeth, it is usually advantageous to cut away
either part or the whole of the lingual wall. Occa-
sionally part of the labial wall may be removed
instead, but this should, as a rule, be avoided, for
although it makes the whole operation easier, and it
can be completed in less time, the gold shows some-
what, and this should always be prevented if
possible. Some operators, instead of cutting away
either the lingual or labial wall, separate the teeth
widely by pressure ; and be3^ond trimming the edges
to obtain smooth, firm margins, do not remove any
of the walls for the purpose of obtaining access.
The writer having originally practised this wide
separation method with as much preservation of both
lateral walls as possible, infinitely prefers a slight
separation and the access obtained by cutting away
one of the lateral walls. The packing of the gold
can be accomplished with greater certainty, the
nuisance of obtaining a wide separation is avoided,
the patient is not worried with keeping the cotton-
wool or tape, or whatever may be used to obtain the
desired space, between the teeth for a considerable
time, the teeth rarely become painful from the pres-
sure, and the cutting secures free margins at parts of
the filling at any rate. It is advisable, however, to
obtain a slight separation by pressure, so as to admit