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METALLIC PIVOTS. 319

METALLIC PIVOTS.

The liability of a pivot of wood to wear off at the
point between the crown and the root, as well as to
become offensive, and the difficulty of removing the
tooth, have led dentists to seek some less objection-
able material; and metals have been experimented

upon, and found in some respects preferable. Gold
has been employed for this purpose more than any
other metal. Pivots made of this do not become
offensive, do not wear off; and admit of any desired
curve, and of an easy removal of the crown. There
are several methods of attaching this kind of pivot
to a tooth; and a very common one is, to fit into the
hole in the crown a piece of pivot wood—cut it off
even with the base of the crown, and perforate it

with the proper-sized drill for the reception of the
metal pivot, which may be roughened, or barbed on
its sides, and then forced into the place prepared for
it. Another method is, to drill into a block of wood
;
insert the pivot, prepared as above, then dress down
the wood round it till this will fit closely into the
crown; and, after it is pressed in, cut off the pro-
truding portion of wood. In either of these methods,

when the wood becomes moist, the metal pivot will
be very firmly retained. This pivot may also be at-
tached to the crown by soldering : place the edge of