Cavity Preparation in Dentistry

Study Notes

Cavity Preparation

Goals:
- Remove decayed tooth structure
- Prevent further decay
- Prepare tooth for amalgam restoration
Steps:
1. Access decay: Identify and remove decayed tooth structure
2. Outline form: Establish cavity shape and size
3. Excavation: Remove decayed dentin and enamel
4. Extension: Enlarge cavity to prevent recurrent decay
5. Refine: Smooth and polish cavity walls
Considerations:
- Preserve healthy tooth structure
- Avoid excessive removal of tooth tissue
- Maintain a conservative approach

Restorative Techniques

Direct filling technique:
- Amalgam is placed directly into the prepared cavity
- Condensed and carved to achieve proper shape and contours
Indirect filling technique:
- Amalgam is placed in a matrix or mold
- Transferred to the prepared cavity
- Condensed and carved to achieve proper shape and contours
Considerations:
- Isolation and moisture control
- Proper amalgam manipulation and condensation

Amalgam Retention

Mechanisms of retention:
- Mechanical retention: Undercuts and grooves
- Chemical retention: Adhesion to tooth structure
- Micro-mechanical retention: Intimate contact between amalgam and tooth
Factors influencing retention:
- Cavity design and preparation
- Amalgam alloy and manipulation
- Tooth structure and morphology

Dental Anatomy

Tooth morphology:
- Shape and size of teeth
- Anatomical features (e.g. grooves, fissures, and cusp tips)
Tooth structure:
- Enamel, dentin, and pulp
- Hard tissue anatomy and relationships
Considerations:
- Tooth-specific considerations for cavity preparation and restoration
- Preservation of healthy tooth structure

Tooth Conservation

Principles:
- Preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible
- Minimize removal of tooth tissue
- Avoid unnecessary extension of cavity preparation
Considerations:
- Tooth longevity and durability
- Patient comfort and aesthetics
- Restoration longevity and success

Cavity Preparation

Cavity preparation aims to remove decayed tooth structure, prevent further decay, and prepare the tooth for amalgam restoration
It involves accessing decay, outlining the cavity shape and size, excavating decayed dentin and enamel, extending the cavity to prevent recurrent decay, and refining the cavity walls
Healthy tooth structure should be preserved, excessive removal of tooth tissue avoided, and a conservative approach maintained

Restorative Techniques

Direct filling technique involves placing amalgam directly into the prepared cavity, condensing and carving it to achieve the proper shape and contours
Indirect filling technique involves placing amalgam in a matrix or mold, transferring it to the prepared cavity, and condensing and carving it to achieve the proper shape and contours
Isolation and moisture control, as well as proper amalgam manipulation and condensation, are crucial considerations for both techniques

Amalgam Retention

Amalgam retention is achieved through mechanical retention (undercuts and grooves), chemical retention (adhesion to tooth structure), and micro-mechanical retention (intimate contact between amalgam and tooth)
Cavity design and preparation, amalgam alloy and manipulation, and tooth structure and morphology are factors that influence retention

Dental Anatomy

Tooth morphology refers to the shape and size of teeth, including anatomical features like grooves, fissures, and cusp tips
Tooth structure consists of enamel, dentin, and pulp, and involves hard tissue anatomy and relationships
Tooth-specific considerations must be taken into account during cavity preparation and restoration to preserve healthy tooth structure

Tooth Conservation

The principles of tooth conservation include preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible, minimizing removal of tooth tissue, and avoiding unnecessary extension of cavity preparation
Tooth longevity and durability, patient comfort and aesthetics, and restoration longevity and success are all considerations for tooth conservation

Description

Learn about the goals and steps involved in cavity preparation, including decay removal, cavity shaping, and tooth structure preservation. Quiz yourself on the key considerations in this dental procedure.