operative management of caries

Question 1

what are the main purposes of tooth restoration?

Answer 1

restore loss of dental tissue

eliminate plaque retentive factors

restore masticatory function

minimise risk of recurrent disease

improve aesthetics where appropriate

Question 2

what are some techniques that can be used to restore a cavity?

Answer 2

do nothing if cavity is self cleansing?

starve caries with fissure sealant after acid etch kills majority bacteria

restore

• full cavity immediately
• selective removal to firm dentine
• selective removal to soft dentine
• stepwise excavation

Question 3

best prognosis treatment?

Answer 3

selective removal to soft dentine

-seal soft dentine away within the cavity rather than step by step excavate over multiple treatments or remove all caries risking pulpal involvement.