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128 SEPARATION OF THE TEETH.
firm borders. Teeth are in some instances separated
for the introduction of clasps; a practice always to
be deprecated, since it usually proves highly injurious.
Though the practice was once very common, yet
many of our best operators have now, with good
reason, abandoned it altogether. At one time, too,
it was a general practice to separate the teeth with
the file to relieve a crowded condition ; but this, also,
has been abandoned.
There are two methods of separating the teeth
the one, to cut away a portion ; the other, to force
apart by pressure, acting upon one or more teeth, as
the circumstances admit. Formerly, all separations
were effected with the file, and this of very crude
form and cut; by which instrument, especially in
unfavorable cases, much injury has been done.
Though the file is a valuable instrument, one that
no other could supply, yet, for removal of any con-
is not to be recom-
siderable portion of dentine, it
mended. Its action upon inflamed dentine is exceed-
ingly painful, besides being tedious and wearisome to
patient and operator ; and it is liable to irritate the
periosteum, and to increase inflammation. When a
separation is to be made that requires the removal
of a considerable portion of the tooth, the chisel, or
heavy cutting instruments, are to be preferred.
These, if of the proper form and temper, and
128 SEPARATION OF THE TEETH.
firm borders. Teeth are in some instances separated
for the introduction of clasps; a practice always to
be deprecated, since it usually proves highly injurious.
Though the practice was once very common, yet
many of our best operators have now, with good
reason, abandoned it altogether. At one time, too,
it was a general practice to separate the teeth with
the file to relieve a crowded condition ; but this, also,
has been abandoned.
There are two methods of separating the teeth
the one, to cut away a portion ; the other, to force
apart by pressure, acting upon one or more teeth, as
the circumstances admit. Formerly, all separations
were effected with the file, and this of very crude
form and cut; by which instrument, especially in
unfavorable cases, much injury has been done.
Though the file is a valuable instrument, one that
no other could supply, yet, for removal of any con-
is not to be recom-
siderable portion of dentine, it
mended. Its action upon inflamed dentine is exceed-
ingly painful, besides being tedious and wearisome to
patient and operator ; and it is liable to irritate the
periosteum, and to increase inflammation. When a
separation is to be made that requires the removal
of a considerable portion of the tooth, the chisel, or
heavy cutting instruments, are to be preferred.
These, if of the proper form and temper, and
