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308 PIVOT TEETH.

than those of any other in the mouth. The roots of
the first bicuspids frequently terminate in two points,
and are always more or less compressed, so that they
will not receive a pivot large enough to sustain a
crown; besides, these teeth are masticatory, and
crowns pivoted to them very soon become loose and

useless. The roots of the inferior incisors are also
compressed, and thus subject to the same disability.
Occasionally, however, pivot crowns are attached to
the roots of the superior bicuspids, and the inferior
incisors, cuspids, and bicuspids. But in order that
such an operation shall be of any utility, the condi-
tions must be favorable, the roots with as little lateral
compression as possible, in a very sound and healthy
state, and without any tendency to inflammation.
The preparation of the root for the reception of an
artificial crown, is a very simple process. It will,
however, be somewhat modified by the kind of crown

used, and the method of attaching it. Ordinarily,
the first step is, to remove the natural crown, or any
remaining portion of it, with a fine saw or excising
forceps. Of this latter instrument, there are various
forms, that in most common use having narrow,
transverse edges, closing squarely together, as repre-
sented in Fig. 57. With these forceps, any broken
fragments of the crown can be removed with great

facility. Many operators, placing their edge on the