Where There Is No Dentist 2012 153
Follow steps 1 and 2 on pages 147 to 148. Then return here for
steps 3 to 6.
3. Clean the cavity. After you have
removed the decay, clean the cavity so
that the glass ionomer will stick well.
The best way to do this is with the liquid
from the glass ionomer.
Put one drop of glass ionomer liquid
on the glass slab. Using the tweezers,
pick up a piece of cotton, dampen
it in water, then dip it into the glass
ionomer liquid. Use the cotton to
clean the cavity.
Use another piece of cotton dipped only
in water to wash the cavity out. Use
a new piece of cotton to wipe out the
cavity and dry it.
Be sure that the glass ionomer
liquid you are using has acid
in it and is not just water. If
your glass ionomer liquid is
just water, clean the cavity
with polyacrylic acid or cavity
conditioner instead.
Put a piece of cotton inside the cavity while you mix the glass
ionomer. This will keep the cavity dry.
If a cavity goes down between two teeth, one other step is necessary.
You need to take care that the glass ionomer does not stick to the
other tooth or squeeze and hurt the gum.
Before you mix the glass ionomer, place something thin between the
teeth such as the soft stem from a palm leaf, a toothpick, or a tooth
from a comb. A small strip of tin foil or a strip of plastic cut from
a plastic bottle will also work. Be sure it has a rounded edge to
prevent damage to the gums.
before
after