150 Where There Is No Dentist 2012
5. Remove the extra cement before it gets too hard. Press the flat
side of the filling tool against the cement and smooth it towards the
edge of the cavity.
As you smooth the cement, shape it to look like the top of a normal
tooth. This way, the tooth above or below it can
fit against the filling without breaking it.
After you take out the stem or toothpick, smooth
the cement (p.149). Gums are easier to clean,
and stay healthier, when the cement beside
them is smooth.
Cement that sticks out and is not smooth can
hurt the gums. It can also later break off. When
that happens, spit and germs are able to go
inside and start the decay growing again.
It is also important to look closely around the tooth for loose
pieces of cement and to remove them before they make the
gums sore.
Use the end of your probe. Gently
reach into the gum pocket and lift
out any pieces of cement caught
there.
Wipe off your probe with cotton
gauze each time.
Now remove all the cotton and ask the person to gently close the
teeth. The teeth should come together normally and not hit first
against the cement filling. Too much pressure against the cement
filling will crack and break it.
Always check to see if part of the filling is high:
(1) lf the cement is still wet, you can see the
smooth place where the opposite tooth
bit into it. Scrape the cement away from
this place.
(2) If the cement is dry, have the person bite on
a piece of carbon paper. If there is too much
cement, the carbon paper will darken the
cement. Scrape away that extra cement.
If you do not have carbon
paper, darken some paper
with a pencil.
The person must not leave your clinic until the
filled tooth fits properly against the other teeth.