Chapter I: Preface

Believing that sufficient and well-deserved prominence was not being given to the use of tin foil and its combinations, the author decided to present a brief historical resume of the subject, together with such practical information as he possesses, before the profession in order that it may have the satisfaction of saving more teeth, since that is the pre-eminent function of the modern dentist. One object is to meet the demand for information in regard to the properties and uses of tin foil; this information has been sought to be given in the simplest form consistent with scientific accuracy. The present use of tin is a case of the "survival of the fittest," because tin was used for filling teeth more than one hundred years ago. There is not a large amount of literature upon the subject, and no single text-book has treated the matter fully enough to answer the needs of both teacher and pupil. It is difficult for the student to collect and harmonize from the many different sources just the kind and amount of information required for his special use. Perhaps this work will be of assistance to scientific students and practical operators in the art of using tin foil, including all who wish in compact form an explanation of the facts and principles upon which the art is based. A good method to arouse in students an interest in the use of tin foil is to have them use it in operative technics, which is becoming an effective adjunct in every dental college. By this means a great factor will be brought to bear, and the result will be that hundreds of graduates every year will begin practice better qualified to save teeth than if they had not known whatever may be learned about this material. At the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Dentistry, session 1896-97, out of the total number of fillings made in the clinical department (fractions omitted) 55 per cent. were gold, 15 per cent. tin, 10 per cent. amalgam. This shows that tin has some very strong friends in the persons of Professors Darby and Kirk.

The historical sketch of the development of the subject is arranged in chronological order, and is given partly to show that some old ideas and methods were good, and some obviously incorrect when viewed in the light of more recent developments. Part of the history will be new to the oldest members of the profession, and the younger ones will certainly read it with interest. The work has been brought up to date by considering all the properties and methods available. More names, good opinions, and dates could have been given, but the writer believes that what is herein presented is enough to thoroughly substantiate his own opinions, experiments, and practical applications. Some of the illustrations have been made especially for this work; the others have been obtained through the courtesy of the owners.

"Let not the foggy doctrine of the superiority of gold in all cases act on progress as the old medieval superstitions acted on astronomy, physiology, zoology. Truth sought after without misgiving, and the humblest as well as the highest evidence taken in every case, and acted on with skill and discrimination, will crown all with a high average of success."

It is hoped that what has been said in this volume will enable those who study it to save more teeth, and stimulate them to make improvements on the material and methods, doing much better than has been described or suggested.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, June, 1897.

"With soft and yielding lamina, and skill,
The practiced dental surgeon learns to fill
Each morbid cavity, by caries made,
With pliant tin; when thus the parts decayed
Are well supplied, corrosion, forced to yield
To conquering art the long-contested field,
Resigns its victim to the smiles of peace,
And all decay and irritation cease."
(_Solyman Brown._)

The quantity of tin foil used measures the number of teeth saved with _metals_ in any country during any historical period.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE
Antiquity of Tin--Alchemistic Name--Medical Use--Where Found--
Purity Obtained--Physical Characteristics 1

CHAPTER II.
History of the Use of Tin Foil, 1783-1844 7

CHAPTER III.
History Continued, 1845-1895 15

CHAPTER IV.
Columbian Dental Congress--Opinions on Tin Foil--Reasons for
Using--Manufacture in United States--Number and Weight of
Foil--Cohesion--Good Qualities of Tin Foil--Temporary Teeth--
Thermal Changes--Calcification--Chalky Teeth 27

CHAPTER V.
Discoloration of Tin--Decomposition of Food--Sulfids--Oxids--
Galvanic, Therapeutic, and Chemical Action 40

CHAPTER VI.
White Caries--Gold and Tin as Conductors--Wearing Away of
Fillings--Poor Foil--Buccal Cavities--Number of Years
Fillings Last--Strips or Tapes for Filling--Number 10 Foil--
Form of Cavities--Shields--Matrices--Condensing--Finishing--
Cervical Margins--Filling Anterior Teeth--Lining with Gold 49

CHAPTER VII.
Filling, part Tin, part Gold--Cervical Margin Liable to
Caries--Electrolysis--Hand Pressure--Hand Mallet--Tapes and
Ropes Compared--Manner of Preparing Foil--Starting the
Filling--Cylinders--Mats--Facing and Repairing--Tin
Shavings--Dr. Herbst's Method--Fees 56

CHAPTER VIII.
Dr. Robinson's Fibrous and Textile Metallic Filling--Tin and
Gold combined (Tg), Methods of Preparing and Using--Lining
Cavities with Tin--Tin and Amalgam--Plastic Tin--Stannous
Gold--Crystal Tin--Filling Root-Canals--Tin and Watts's
Sponge Gold--Capping Pulps 66

CHAPTER IX.
Temporary Fillings--Sensitive Cavities--Integrity--Tin with
Sponge, Fibrous, and Crystallized Gold--Tin at Cervical
Margin--Filling Completed with Gold--Gutta-Percha and Tin--
Occlusal Cavities with Tin and Gold--Comparison of Gold with
Tin--Wedge-shaped Instruments--Old Method of Using Rolls,
Ropes, Tapes, or Strips--Later Method--Filling with Compact
and Loose Balls--Cylinder Fillings--Operative Technics 91