Page 36 - My FlipBook

20 THE TIGHTENING OF LOOSE TEETH

In order to retain a single front tooth, make a small
Dip the warmed
post the size of the pins (Fig. 16).
gold wire in borax, and keep it perpendicular in the
flame for an instant until its ends are covered. Grind
it to an exact rivet-head that fits the enlarged hole
of the gold wall.
Pass the post through the drilled tooth that is to be
supported, mark the point where it comes out, split the

pin above this, and fasten it like the other pins (see
Plate I. h). _

Fig. 16.
The ends of the pin ought not to extend far beyond

the tooth.
Very short tips sustain a loose tooth perfectly, and
will not be damaged in brushing and cleaning the
teeth.
Having surrounded it with cement, drive in the
rivet-head pin firmly with an electric gold mallet.
To insure that the thickened end of the post " goes
home," and to prevent the rivet-head from standing
out beyond the retaining-wall, enlarge the retain-
ing-wall opening a little by means of a fissure burr
Trim the fixed rivet-head with carborundum
(Fig 3).
stones until it is closely united with the retaining-wall,
and forms a smooth surface.
In lieu of a rubber-dam holder I use a celluloid
holder, the patient's ears serving as supports (Fig. 17).