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FILLING ROOTS. 281 ;

the gums and periosteum. A deposit of salivary cal-
culus sometimes produces inflammation of the gums

and periosteum. Teeth otherwise healthy are, in
some instances; thus affected ; though those which
have lost their internal vitality, are much more liable
to such disease.
Preparing the Teeth and Roots for Filling.—After the
tooth has been brought to a healthy condition, the de-

cayed cavity is first to be excavated and made of pro-
per form, the pulp-chamber to be shaped, and then the
canals and the roots to be prepared for filling. For
the preparation of decayed cavities here, the directions
given on that subject hitherto, will be quite sufficient.
In the formation of the pu]p- chamber, the abrupt
projecting portions of dentine should be cut down
and if there is any decomposition of this, it should
be removed. The pulp-chamber may be, when it is
excavated, of a general retaining form, or there may
be retaining points made within it at proper situa-

tions. In the preparation of the canals in the roots,
some operators do nothing more than cleanse them
out thoroughly. Another method is, to pass fine
bur-drills into them as far as practicable, thus making
the opening of the same size all the way ; or to scrape
out the canal with a fine No. 10 excavator. Very
fine, delicate instruments are' required for cleansing
out and forming the canals'; and they should be quite