Page 145 - My FlipBook

REMOVAL OF DECAY. 141

not important to remove such changed portion, except
for the appearance of the tooth ; it will produce no
change upon the living or normal part beyond it;
and it is better material to be in contact with the
living part than the metal of which the filling is
made.
Decayed dentine is readily removed with the exca-
vators. In any given case, such instrument should
be selected as would he best adapted for the purpose,

as well in regard to size and the form of its edge, as
to the curvature, or inclination, of its shaft. The
edge of the instrument should come upon the walls
of the cavity at such an angle as to accomplish the
work most efficiently. It should be very sharp, and
pressed firmly to the bottom of the decay at one side,
so as to remove the principal part at one cut. With
the proper instrument, and that in the right con-

dition, all the decay should be removed from any
cavity by a very few, firm, steady strokes. By this
method less pain is caused the patient, and the work
of the operator is facilitated. It is intolerable to
think of being subjected to an awkward, clumsy
hand, with a dull, ill-shaped excavator, scratching
upon the surface of a decayed tooth, for a length of
time, apparently to the patient, interminable.