Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt:...for filling. This brings us to a subject concerning which there is much difference of opinion, and the number of materials which from time to time have been recommended for root-filling is legion, until one is almost led to believe that "any old thing'" will do, provided the filling is thoroughly done. Many of our old and tried operators still adhere to cotton as a root-filling, and claim to have perfect success with it. While it is true that some' teeth, the roots of which have been filled with cotton, give good service and remain comfortable for years, I sometimes think this is in spite of the cotton rather than from any virtue it possesses. I have never been able to accept cotton as the perfect root-filling. I form my opinion from some few 1 have been called upon to remove. Its only redeeming quality, in my judgment, is the ease with which it can be removed when this is necessary. Without further discussion concerning the merits of the many substances that have been suggested and used as root-canal fillings, I will mention the one which seems to meet with the most general favor--namely, gutta-percha. The method of using it usually followed is to first pump or work chloro-percha into the canal, and then to insert the gutta-percha rolled into a small cone. This method seems to have as many good qualities as any other that has been suggested. My own method, which I have followed with satisfaction to myself, and, as far as I know, to my patients, is as 'follows: After thoroughly cleansing and treating the canal'. I wipe it out with alcohol and dry it thoroughly with hot air. I then pump or work into the canal the following mixture: Gutta-percha, thymol, hydronapthol, oil of cassia, and choloform; after which I insert the gutta-percha cone and then...