-
Cavity Classification
- In the last quarter of the 19thcentury, a cavity classification system was developed by G.V. Black. This has been the classification used to this day.
- The following is a description of this system of classification.
-
Class I
- All pit and fissure cavities
- Occlusal surfaces of premolars, molars, and linguals pits of incisors
-
Class II
- Cavities on the proximal surfaces of premolars and molars
- Posterior, interproximal, smooth surface decay
-
Class III
- Cavities on the proximal surfaces of incisors and canines, that do not involve the incisal edge.
- Anterior interproximal smooth surface decay
-
Class IV
- Cavities on the proximal surfaces of incisors and canines, that do involve the incisal edge
- Decay related, also resulting from traumatic fractures (skateboard injuries, etc.)
-
Class V
- Cavities on the gingival third of the facial or lingual surfaces of all teeth
- Smooth surface decay, near gum line, initiating in enamel
-
Class VI
- Cavities on the incisal edges of anterior teeth or on the cusp tips of posterior teeth ( this is not a G.V. Black classification).
- Decay may start in developmental defects
-
Types of Cavities
- All crowns of teeth have 5 surfaces you can see or get to. They are Mesial, Distal, Occlusal/Incisal, Facial and Lingual.
- If we were to name a specific cavity preparation, then we would use the first letter of the surfaces it involved.
- For example, a class II cavity involving the Mesial and Occlusal surfaces would be called an MO.
- A class III cavity on the Mesial and the Lingual surface would be called an MI.
- Now you need to use the number of the tooth to correctly place the cavity. For example, if we had a class II lesion on the mesial of the maxillary right 2nd premolar, we would say MO on number 4.
|
|