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often there are decays there that will not be seen. But upon
the proximal surfaces you have literally to search out the
decay.
I would pursue the same order in the examination of the
proximate surfaces that we have pursued in the examination of
the buccal surfaces, but in doing this you will take the double-
curved explorers. Begin at the median line in the lower jaw,
having the head well forward, and pass the instrument point
into the interproximate spaces with the point toward the oc-
clusal or incisal, and with the lateral curve of the point toward
the surface of the tooth being examined. Then pass it as
far toward the incisal as you can and carry it across
the surface from buccal to lingual in that position.
If there is a cavity of any considerable extent you are sure to
find it. Never examine these from the incisal or occlusal to-
ward the gingival, but always from the gingival toward the
incisal or occlusal. Then change the instrument and examine
in the same way the distal surface of the tooth. If there
is anything that attracts your attention, seeming to make
it necessary, change your instrument and examine it from
the lingual as well, pushing your instrument from the gin-
gival toward the incisal. Then you may carry your instru-
ment to the mesial surface of the next tooth ; then change and
examine the distal surface. Carry that examination around the
arch. For this particular examination it is a good idea to
become accustomed to placing the explorers between the
fingers of the left hand so as to have them within easy reach,
because it is necessary to change instruments very frequently,
as you will see (demonstrating). Pass around the arch in
that way, including the distal of the distal tooth, for there is
occasionally a cavity on the distal surface of the third molar.
When you have passed around the one side, change to the
other ; begin at the median line again and go around those
teeth in the same way, changing your instruments so as to
get the point to the mesial and distal surface of each tooth
as you pass along. In that way you will pass around the en-
tire arch, examining tooth after tooth until you have exam-
ined both mesial and distal surfaces of each tooth. If your
assistant is standing by with a notebook she can make notes
of the result of your examination as you pass along, and
when you get through you will have a record of what you

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