Page 180 - My FlipBook

148 FILLING MATERIALS

Uses.
1. As a temporary filling material in deciduous teeth.
2. As a more or less temporary filling material in un-

exposed cavities in permanent teeth.
3. For sealing in dressings.
4. For producing slow separation.
5. For filling root canals.
6. For temporarily setting crowns and bridges.
7. As a cavity lining and for filling small canals in the

form of chloro-percha.
Chloro-percha is made by dissolving shavings of base
plate gutta-percha in chloroform. On the evaporation of the
chloroform the gutta-percha is left on the cavity wall or in the

canal.
Method of Manipulation.—Give the cavity retentive form.
Before insertion, the walls may be slightly moistened with
eucalyptol, oil of eucalyptus, or oil of cajuput, preferably the
first agent mentioned. Avoid overheating the gutta-percha,
as the product is thus easily injured. Heating may be accom-
plished over the alcohol lamp, Bunsen burner, Flagg's Gutta-

percha heater (Figs. 176 and 177), the thermoscopic heater,
or on an electric annealer; then follow one of the following
methods.
I. Cut the Gutta-percha into small pieces, soften with heat
and pack each piece separately, condensing thoroughly with

cold burnishers of suitable size. Avoid much excess, as the
material is rather difficult to remove. Remove surplus
material immediately with a hot flat spatula, trimming toward
the margins. Smooth the surface of the filling with the same
instrument, slightly warmed. If preferred, the filling may be

allowed to cool and harden thoroughly, when the excess is re-
moved with a sharp knife blade, but the knife must be very
keen to avoid drawing the filling away from the margins.