The principles of cavity

preparation
Are some fundamental principles which must
be realized in preparing cavities and must be
intelligently applied and adhered to in all cases
since failure of whole procedure might occur
of one or any one is violated .

I-Biological principles

Concerned

with Health and integrity of

remaining tooth structure

A-Pulp protection:

1-Mechanical irritation
1.
2.
3.
4.

Cutting across recessional lines

Over width
Over depth
Excessive pressure

2-Thermal irritation
Minimizing frictional heat .
Decrease pressure
Sharp tools
Use Coolant
Copious ,
multidirectional
same temperature

3-Chemical irritation:
Cavity sterilizers and conditioners

4-Bacterial irritation:
Sterilization of instrument
Field isolation

B-Control of caries:
1-Removal of all caries
2-Extend to all defective areas (pit,
fissure and angular groove).
3-Removal of weak and undermined
enamel
4-Appropriate CSA.

C-Protection of investing tissue and

adjacent tooth.
Roundation

and smoothing of ragged

margins especially those near the
gingival
Avoid un injudicious subgingival
extension
Protect adjacent tooth
Proper guard and support

II-Mechanical principles
1- Preservation of structural integrity of
both tooth and restoration
(Provision of correct resistance form).
2-Retaining the restoration inside the cavity
(Provision of correct retention form).

II-Esthetic principles:
1. Provision of symmetrical outlines in
smooth sweeping curves.
2. Limiting restoration display
3. Elimination of discolored tooth
structure

Steps of cavity preparation

as suggested by Dr. Black are:

1. Obtain the required outline form.

2. Obtain the required resistance form.
3. Obtain the required retention form.
4. Obtain the required convenience
form.
5. Remove any remaining carious dentin.
6. Finish the enamel wall.
7. Performing toilet of the cavity.

Obtain the required outline. 1

.form

Extent

of caries
Defective , non remeneralizable and retentive
enamel.
Enameloplasty
Weak undermined enamel
Near cavities
Proximal outlines (straight line uniform curve
reverse curve)
Affected by Caries, size and location of
contact occlusal forces
Cervical outlines

Obtain the required. 2

.resistance form
Primary resistance form may be defined as
that shape and placement of the
preparation walls that best enable both
the restoration and the tooth to
withstand, with out fracture, masticatory
forces delivered principally in the
long axis of the tooth

Factors influencing stress response of tooth

and restoration:
1-Occlusal loading in terms of
Magnitude. Direction and Character
2-Cavity design in terms of
1.
Direction of walls
2.
Smoothness and flatness walls
3.
line and point angles
4.
CSA
5.
Bulk
6.
Retention
3-Strength characteristic of restorative
materials.

3. Obtain the required

Retention form.

Is that shape or form of the prepared

cavity that resists displacement or removal
of the restoration by the force of
mastication and also against the pull of
sticky food.

:Retention mechanisms
1-Chemical ex. G.I
2-Mechanical
A-Macro mechanical
B-Micro mechanical

Types of retentions according to

:possible directions of displacement
1-Axial Retention:

Direct restorations Occlusal convergence

(undercuts)
In Direct restorations..Parallelism of
opposing cavity walls
Dentine ledges

2-Lateral Retention

Features provided to give retention to any

other direction than the axial e.g.
proximal, buccal and lingual

:Retentive features
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Friction of restoration with the parallel

opposing walls
Proximo-axial groove (locks)
Buccal and lingual extensions
Reverse bevel
Dove tail lock
Slots
Axial coves
Dentin pins

Factors affecting selection of

:retentive means
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Size of cavity and remaining tooth

structures
Number of missing walls
Site of cavity and occlusal stresses
Type of restoration
Pulp vitality
Esthetic requirements

4. Obtain the required

Convenience form
Is that shape and form of the cavity that
make the cavity conveniently seen
approached and restored
In other words slight increase in outline
to improve the accessibility and
visibility during operative and
restorative procedures
1. Outline extension
2. Accentuation of point and line angles
3. Sweeping out line from

:Removal of remaining caries-5

Hand method
Sharp excavator from periphery toward the
center with light force parallel to recessional
lines of the pulp
Rotary method
Use round bur with light pressure and
intermittent strokes
Infected and affected dentine
Spots in the floor
ADJ

:Finishing of cavity walls- 6

Objectives:
1. Removal of undermined enamel
2. Obtaining the suitable CSA according
to the restorative material
3. Having correct cavity walls inclination
4. Smoothening walls and margins for
better adaptation
5. Roundation of line and point angle

Factors affecting CSA

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Type of restoration
Stress acting on cavity margin
Location of the margin
Condition of enamel
Pulp vitality
Esthetic requirements

Types of Cavo-Surface bevels

Short

bevel
Long bevel
Hollow ground bevel

7-Toilet of the cavity

Toilet

of the cavity is cleaning of the

cavity from small chips of cutting tooth
structure and carious lesion, using sharp
hand instrument to loosen it and washed
with air water spray, cotton pellets
then gentle dryness with oil free air.