Page 256 - My FlipBook

252 EXPOSED PULPS.

been chiefly used for the purpose, especially when
the object was to form an arch over the point of
exposure. These caps are cut out of thin gold plate,
or thick sheet lead, of the proper shape and size, and
stamped with a convex punch, thus receiving such a
concavity as fits them for covering the exposed pulp
without touching it. A little groove, of depth suffi-
cient to hold the cap and prevent it from being
displaced by the introduction of the filling, may be
made in the dentine all round the orifice of exposure.

The cap is then to be adjusted to its position in the
cavity, having been previously touched round its
edge with adhesive wax, the filling is then introduced
in the usual manner, carefully, so as not to displace
the cap; and if this is of lead, great caution is to be
observed in condensing the filling above it, since it
will be easily compressed.
The therapeutic influence of lead on exposed pulps

is supposed by some to be definite and decided ; but,
though lead is a less perfect conductor of heat, and

in this respect is better than gold, and though, in the
capacity of a pulp-cap, its indestructibility is probably
quite sufficient, yet, if no change takes place in it, it
is not very apparent how it exercises any therapeutic
action on the pulp. Experience, however, proves that
the success is quite as good in the use of lead caps as
in those of gold; and the former are more easily applied.