Page 140 - My FlipBook

;

136 FILLING TEETH.

if much
operation ; or but little labor is required
whether the operation will be a simple or a difficult
one; and if difficult, what circumstances render it so;
and, besides, some conclusion is arrived at in regard
to the precise means to be employed for obtaining the
desired result, as well as the permanency of that

result.

OPENING.

The next step is to open the cavity of decay, so
that it may be approached and operated upon at all
points. The particular manner of performing this is
determined by the extent of the decay, and its posi-
tion upon the tooth. In all cases the opening should
be such as to give free access to all parts of the
cavity, for effectually removing the decayed portion,
for perfectly forming the cavity, and for introducing
and thoroughly consolidating the filling. In central

crown cavities of the molars and bicuspids, the pro-
jecting or pendent portions of enamel should be cut
away. There are cases, however, where such por-
tions are firm and not liable to be broken, and where
they can be well sustained by filling under, in which
it is admissible to leave some projection. This is
true of only those teeth which are of good, firm
texture. There are two objections to these abrupt