Page 129 - My FlipBook

THE FILE. 125

file teeth that are somewhat loose in the sockets, and
whose periosteum is in a state of irritation, to build
up a wall of plaster of Paris round them, permitting
it to harden, will v.ery much facilitate the operation.

Perhaps a preferable method in some respects, for
accomplishing the same object, is to mould softened
gutta-percha to the tooth and the parts about it.
After it has become hard, hold it firmly in place
while the filing is accomplished. Either of these
methods will be found valuable in cases where it is
necessary to dress off a considerable portion from the

end of one or more inferior front teeth. There are
some teeth upon which the use of the file is hardly
as, for instance, those which are highly
admissible ;
predisposed to inflammation and sensitiveness of the
dentine. The teeth of young persons being usually
of this character, they should be filed with great
caution; but, in general, those of adults may be
filed, if properly, with more freedom. The file
should not be used upon the teeth, when the perios-
teum, the gums, or the mucous membrane is dis-

eased, or strongly predisposed to such a condition.
It should never be used for the correction of irre-
gularity of the teeth, especially when they are
sound; nor should it be employed to separate
sound teeth to introduce clasps.
Filing the teeth is an operation against which