Page 86 - My FlipBook

70 THE TREATMENT OF TEETH
of the gold being accurately carried over all margins,
and to admit of the trimming and polishing tapes
and discs being easily applied. This space can be
obtained immediately, if desired, by pressing a wedge
of wood between the teeth, or by cutting with a thin
separating file. If the separating file is used, the
slight division thus made will not spoil the appear-
ance of the teeth, and is decidedly preferable to
showing a line of gold ; but except for preventing
the exposure of gold, it is well to remove no
more of a labial wall than is absolutely necessary,
and as a rule slight separation by pressure is better
than slight separation with a file.
To obtain access to all medium and large-sized
cavities on the approximal surfaces of bicuspids
and molars, the overhanging enamel at the occlusal
— par-
if necessary
is entirely cut away, and
part
ticularly in distal cavities — part of the buccal wall
may also be removed. In all medium and large-
sized cavities the lateral walls should, if possible,
be cut away sufficiently to secure free margins, but
more than the cutting necessary for this purpose is
admissible in certain distal cavities where the access
is difficult.
Having opened the cavity, the next step is the
removal of the decay. This is easily accomplished
(unless very sensitive) by the use of sharp spoon