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228 CLASSIFICATION OF DECAYED CAVITIES.

and in the best condition, the serrate points being
definite and sharp, though not too long : those with
four, six, or eight points may be advantageously used
for packing the gold. But care must be exercised
lest these fine points be turned ; for when that is the
case, the instrument is liable to displace the portion

of gold, and thus break up its first attachment during
the process of consolidation ; and when this is broken,
the piece of gold can not again be made to adhere as
perfectly as before.
With every thing thus in readiness, the retaining-
points are all to be filled, the gold extending from
one to the other ; which is then to be built all over
the bottom of the part to be restored, projecting a
little beyond the periphery, and being perfectly con-
solidated there, and kept somewhat higher round the

border than in the center. The gold should be built
on in this manner till the crown is large enough,
after dressing, to give the desired size and form. In
finishing up, the aim should be, to restore as perfectly
as possible the lost form of the tooth. The adaptation
of the gold, too, to the standing portion of the crown
should be most complete ; imperfection in this respect
impairs the appearance of the work, and jeopardizes
the security of the operation.
Occasionally the crown of a molar tooth is found
decayed off all round, almost to the margin of the