Page 91 - My FlipBook

FILLING TEETH 75
without any real detriment to the operation, it is
advisable to do so. It may also be pointed out that
no better work has ever been done, or in all probability
ever will be done with gold, than that accomplished
by the late Dr. Webb and several others who pre-
pared cavities in the older way. It is more difficult
to prepare cavities in the new manner, and the
inverted cone bur, which plays such a large part
in this preparation, is a much more dangerous in-
strument than the round bur. Those who practise
the new method exclusively are doubtless suffi-
ciently expert in it to be unaware of its ever
presenting difficulties. The waiter desires to express
his appreciation and admiration of this method, but
cannot help thinking that it has sometimes been
presented with too little regard for, and too great
depreciation of, the older way.
In preparing cavities on occlusal surfaces of molars
and bicuspids, both the old and new methods are
practically " on all fours." A flat floor and straight
walls at right angles to the floor, is the preparation
that is necessary, whether it takes the form of an
ordinary round, or oblong cavity, or the cutting-out
of fissures. To effect this, all overhanging enamel
is cut away until the softened dentine is removed,
and the cavity generally shaped up, always cutting
until hard dentine is reached. The floor is flattened.