Page 79 - My FlipBook

GENERAL REMARKS ON FILLING. 75 ;

bility even of healthy dentine to resist the encroach-
ment of decay. As preliminary to the operation, all
the circumstances, both direct and collateral, should
be carefully noted in every case, and the course of

treatment should conform to the indications thus ob-
served. The constitution, temperament, and health
of the patient; the peculiarities of the teeth; their
susceptibility of decay ; their present condition, and
that of the parts about them; the periosteum, the
gums, the mucous membrane, the secretions of the
mouth, the saliva, and the mucus, should all be
closely considered; for only on a correct diagnosis
can a proper treatment be based. Every operation

should be performed as completely as, under the cir-
cumstances, is possible. Indeed, every step in the
operation should be perfect, before a successive one
is attempted. All the instruments employed should
be unexceptionable in material, form, and condition
inferior instruments should find no place in the case
of the dental operator. The material for filling
should be of the best quality and prepared in the best
possible manner. Not that material for filling should
be prepared in only one way; for some materials,

gold for instance, may be prepared in three or four
different forms^ each perfect in its kind, and efficient
in the hands of the expert manipulator. While with
instruments and material all in the most perfect con-