Cavity Restoration and Classification

These flashcards cover key terminology related to dental cavities, restorations, and their classifications.

Cavity Size

Determines if a tooth can be restored with a filling or requires a fixed restoration, such as a crown.

Composite Restoration

A type of dental filling used primarily for aesthetics in anterior teeth, but also suitable for posterior teeth.

Class I Cavities

Involve a single surface in a pit or fissure; examples include occlusal, buccal, or lingual fillings.

Amalgam Restoration

Used in posterior teeth for strength and longevity, being gradually replaced by modern materials.

Temporary Restoration

Used in less cooperative patients, often as a short-term measure before a fixed restoration.

Glass Ionomer Restoration

Used in deciduous teeth due to fluoride release and in cavities where retention is difficult.

Class II Cavities

Involve at least two surfaces of a posterior tooth, typically the mesial and occlusal surfaces.

Cavity Preparation Aims

To remove all caries without causing pulp exposure, minimize healthy tissue removal, and seal cut dentine tubules.

Patient's Wishes

Considerations such as treatment cost and cooperation, particularly in young children or patients with special needs.

Black's Classification

A system used to categorize cavities based on the site of the original caries attack, devised by an American dentist.