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222 CLASSIFICATION OF DECAYED CAVITIES.

such cases, when the dentine is of good structure, it
is practicable to restore the lost part to a greater or
less extent by building up with gold. In order to
make successful operations in such cases several points
must be regarded; the dentine and enamel should be
of good structure ; the cavity toward the neck of the
tooth of such a form as to afford the best anchorage;
this may consist of pits with grooves running out from
them. Teeth with thick short crowns present the
best opportunity for such an operation; indeed, upon
that class of incisors with long thin crowns, such an

operation is not usually practicable; and, generally,
these teeth present such a contrast in color with the
gold as to be quite objectionable. In the operation
the manipulation must be such as to secure the
most thorough welding of the portions of gold. of
which the filling is composed. With good attach-
ments, gold well prepared and in good condition, and
properly manipulated, the golden portion of a tooth
may be built up to any desired extent without danger

of being either drawn out or broken down. The finish
should be such as has already been described for fill-
ings exposed to view.
Fifth Class.—Posterior proximal cavities of the
molars and bicuspids. These are separated like ante-
rior proximal cavities, except that, ordinarily, to open
them up, more is to be cut from the tooth, on account