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EXTRACTION OF TEETH. obi

diverge so much that they will not pass out of the
socket, without tearing away some of the wall of the

alveolus, it would be impossible to break up the'.-at-
tachment by an inward movement; for the palatal
roots brace the tooth, and the inner process is very
strong and unyielding. Where a molar is decayed
on its proximal sides, and the contiguous teeth en-
croach on it, so that it can not pass out directly be-
tween them, it must either be cut away with the

chisel or file till it is small enough to pass out or
be drawn from between them.
The decay on the buccal or palatal sides often ex-
tends below the gum, and even below the border of
the alveolus ; or there may be extensive softening of
the dentine of the crown; and in either case, the gum
and process must be cut away sufficiently to admit a
firm hold on the root where it is strong enough to sus-
tain the embrace of the forceps.
Extraction of Roots.—The extraction of the roots
of the superior molars is not attended with much

difficulty when they are separated by decay, or are
easily broken apart ; the method then is the same as
for single roots. They should be deeply embraced
with the curved, sharp-pointed root forceps (see Fig.
68), and rotated to break up the attachment, trac-
tion being applied at the same time. It is very

rarely necessary to resort either to the elevator or to