Page 316 - My FlipBook

312 PIVOT TEETH.

However a different opinion is entertained by Dr. C.
Palmer, in which he suggests the grinding of the
entire anterior surface of the artificial crown, thus
removing the vitrified surface of the enamel; by
which it is claimed that the appearance corresponds
much better with that of the natural teeth ; which,
in many cases, at least, is correct. The diameter of
the neck of the crown should correspond with that of
the articulating surface of the root to which it is to be

attached. In fitting the crown to the root, the joint
should be made as nearly perfect as possible ; for the
tooth is thus more permanent and comfortable; an
open joint offers a receptacle for the lodgment of
food and other foreign substances, where they
become vitiated, and produce unpleasant, if not inju-
rious effects. The crown may be principally fitted to
the root without a pivot, by dressing the latter with a
round or elliptical file, and frequently trying the
crown on in its proper position. After having been
thus pretty accurately fitted, a trying pivot of soft
wood should be introduced, by means of which,

grinding it to its exact position, the crown may be
fitted to the root in its proper position.
For fitting pivot teeth, Dr. E. Townsend invented
a round file, with a counterpart, into which the file
exactly fits ; with the former of which the root is
dressed, and with the latter, the articulating surface