Cavity Classification and

Nomenclature
Nelson P. Angeles, DMD, MEM
DENTAL CARIES
NORMAL TOOTH
 TYPES OF TOOTH LOSS

Loss of tooth substance in different

ways:

Microbial tooth loss (dental caries)

Non microbial tooth loss
(attrition, abrasion and erosion)
 DENTAL CARIES

DEFINITION
It is a disease of microbial origin in
which the dietary carbohydrates are
fermented by the bacteria forming an
acid which causes the
demineralization of the inorganic part
and disintegration of the organic part
of the tooth
Dental caries
Dental caries
ETIOLOGY
 Dental caries
Etiology of Dental Caries:
MAJOR FACTORS
1. Role of bacteria
Normal flora of the oral cavity contains
abundance of bacteria which derive there
energy by the chemical process of
fermentation

Mainly the bacteria are Streptococcus

Mutans,and streptococcus sobrinus
collectively known mutans
streptococci(MS)
 Dental caries

2. Role of plaque:
Plaque is an adhesive layer which
deposits on the surface of the tooth and
has colonies of bacteria
Plaque tends to stick to the surface of
the teeth and in this way the bacteria
can have there cariogenic effect on the
tooth
Increase bulk of the plaque
 Dental caries

Plaque on the surface

of the tooth (enamel)
 Dental caries

3. Role of saliva:

It plays role in increasing the

cariogenic effect on the teeth and as
well it has the buffering action.

Saliva has a cleansing effect also

 Dental caries
4. Role of carbohydrates:

Fermentable carbohydrates are on of the

most important cause of causing dental
caries.
Increase in the intake of refined
carbohydrates are directly proportional in
causing the dental caries
Different studies and indices have been
done in order to know the role of
carbohydrates in causing the dental
caries.
 Dental caries

Dietary sugars are mainly sucrose

which is cheap and easily produced
from sugar cane and has very high
calories sucrose is present in wheat
and potatoes.
Sucrose substitutes are palatinose,
Trehalulose and sugar alcohols
 Dental caries

MINOR FACTORS:

Enamel composition
Morphology of the tooth
Position of the tooth
Diet
Immunity
MICROBIOLOG
Y
 Dental caries

MICROBIOLOGY
1. Bacteria involved :
Streptococci e.g mutans, sobrinus
Lactobacilli e.g acidophilus
2. Possibly associated bacteria :
Streptococci e.g mitis
Actinomyces e.g viscosus
Bacteria
Bacteria
Types of lesions involved in tooth destruction

Dental caries -
Wear results from the rubbing of teeth against
each other or from chewing
gritty food.
Abrasion is abnormal tooth surface loss resulting
from direct friction forces between
the teeth and external objects.
Erosion is the wear or loss of tooth surface by
chemico-mechanical action.
Fracture broke n due to accident or blow
Attrition is the mechanical wear of the incisal or
occlusal surface as a result of
functional or Para-functional movements
of the mandible.
Anatomic classification of
cavities:

Pit and fissure cavity

Smooth surface cavity

The Control of Moisture

Cotton rolls
Cellulose wafers
Sponges
Rubber Dam
Saliva Ejector / vacuum
Classification by the name of
the Surfaces of the tooth
involved
FACIAL LINGUAL
INCISAL OCCLUSAL
MESIAL DISTAL
MESIO-LINGUAL MESIO-BUCCAL
MESIO-OCCLUSAL DISTO-OCCLUSAL
DISTO-LINGUAL DISTO- FACIAL
Blacks classification
CLASS I Class I lesions occur in pit and
fissures of all teeth and lingual pit of
anterior.
CLASS II A cavity occurring on the proximal
surface of a posterior tooth.
CLASS III A cavity occurring on the proximal
surface of an anterior tooth.
CLASS IV A lesion on the proximal surface of an
anterior tooth which includes the incisal
angle.
CLASS V Gingival cavities occurring at the
facial and/or lingual/palatal surfaces of the
tooth.
CLASS VI This cavity is found on the tips of
cusps or along the biting edges of
incisor.
4. Cavity preparation terminology: According to
the surface involved
a. simple cavity preparation if only
one surface involved
b. compound cavity preparation
involves two surfaces
c. complex cavity preparation involves
three or more surfaces
d. abbreviated description of cavity
preparation O, MO, MOD, MODB,
MODBL
 Every tooth in a
man's head is
more valuable
than a diamond
By: Nelson P. Angeles, DMD, MEM