Dental Cavity Preparation Overview

Cavity Definition

• A cavity is a defect in enamel or dentin, resulting from a pathological process of dental caries. This breach disrupts the tooth's surface and structural integrity.

Cavity Preparation

• Cavity preparation is a mechanical alteration of a damaged, injured, or diseased tooth. The aim is to create a suitable space to receive a restorative material. This restoration aims to restore a healthy state, including aesthetics, and normal form and function.

Tooth Preparation Terminology

• Simple tooth preparation: Involves only one tooth surface.
• Compound tooth preparation: Involves two tooth surfaces.
• Complex tooth preparation: Involves three or more tooth surfaces.

Tooth Preparation Walls

• Internal wall: A prepared surface that does not extend to the external tooth surface.
• External wall: A prepared surface that extends to the external tooth surface. Specifically identified are External, Distal, Facial, Lingual, Gingival, Pulpal, Axial walls as well as the Cemento-enamel junction (CEJ).

Enamel and Dentinal Walls

• Enamel wall: The portion of a prepared external wall composed of enamel.
• Dentinal wall: The portion of a prepared external wall composed of dentin.

Axial Wall

• An axial wall is an internal wall parallel to the tooth's long axis.

Pulpal Wall

• A pulpal wall is an internal wall perpendicular to the tooth's long axis and occlusal to the pulp.

Floor/Seat

• A floor is a prepared wall that is relatively flat and perpendicular to occlusal forces directed occlusogingivally.

Cavity Preparation Angles

• Line angle: The junction of two planar surfaces with different orientations.
• Internal line angle: A line angle whose apex points into the tooth. An example is the F.P..
• External line angle: A line angle whose apex points away from the tooth. An example is ap.
• Point angle: The junction of three planar surfaces having different orientations.

Cavosurface Margin

• The junction of a prepared cavity wall with the external surface of a tooth.

Cavosurface Angle

• The angle at the junction of a prepared cavity wall and the external surface of a tooth.

Classification of Cavities (G.V. Black)

• Black's classification system categorizes cavities based on location and extent within the tooth. This system describes and categorizes different types based on their location on teeth. (Class I-VI)

Class I Cavity

• Located within pits and fissures on occlusal surfaces of premolars and molars, and the occlusal 2/3rds of buccal and lingual surfaces, as well as the lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors.

Class II Cavity

• Located on the proximal surfaces of posterior teeth.

Class III Cavity

• Located on the proximal surfaces of anterior teeth, excluding the incisal edge.

Class IV Cavity

• Located on the proximal surfaces of anterior teeth, including the incisal edge.

Class V Cavity

• Located on the gingival third of the facial and lingual surfaces of all teeth.

Class VI Cavity

• Located on the incisal edge of anterior teeth and occlusal cusp height of posterior teeth.

Explore the fundamentals of cavity definitions and preparation techniques in dentistry. This quiz covers tooth preparation terminology and the characteristics of various tooth preparation walls. Enhance your understanding of how to restore teeth effectively.