Chair and

operator positions
in dentistry
Definition:
CAVITY: “a cavity refers to a defect in enamel or in both enamel and
dentine, subsequent to the destruction caused by dental caries”

Cavity preparation:
“alteration of defective, diseased or injured tooth structure by dental
surgical procedure and subsequently shaping the remaining enamel
and dentine to receive a restorative material such that tooth is
returned to its normal form, function, health and esthetics (where
needed)”
Intracoronal cavity preparation:
“cavity that is prepared in the interior of the
tooth”

Extracoronal cavity preparation:

“Cavity preparation that involves external surface
of the tooth and has walls that results from
removal of most or all of the enamel”
Simple cavity: one surface

Compound cavity: two adjoining surface

Complex cavity: more than two adjoining

surface
Various walls of the cavity
Wall: any surface of the cavity is referred to as a wall
Internal wall: surface of the prepared cavity that does not extend to
the exterior of the tooth
External wall: surface of the prepared cavity that extends on to the
exterior of the tooth
Enamel wall: portion of the cavity wall that is composed of enamel
Dentin wall: portion of the cavity wall that is composed of dentin
Floor / seat of the cavity:
“any cavity wall that is flat and perpendicular to the
forces acting occluso-gingivally”
Step:
“auxillary extension of the main cavity on to an adjoining
surface”
Different walls in the cavity preparation:
• Facial wall: labial & buccal
• Lingual/palatal wall
• Incisal/occlusalwall
• Mesial/distal wall
• Axial wall: wall nearest to the pulp and parallel to the long axis of
the tooth
• Pulpal wall
• Gingival wall
Various angles in a cavity preparation:
Angle: junction of two or more surfaces of a prepared cavity
Line angle: the angle formed at the junction of two adjoining walls
Point angle: the angle formed at the junction of three adjoining walls
Axial line angle: line angle parallel to the long axis of the tooth
Pulpal line angle: line angle horizontal to the long axis of the tooth
Cavosurface angle: angle formed at the junction of cavity wall and
unprepared tooth surface
Bevel:
“any abrupt incline between the two surfaces of
the prepared tooth or between the cavity wall
and the cavosurface margins in the prepared
cavity”
Classification of
cavity
According to G. V. Black
Class – I:
Pit and fissure cavities present on the occlusal
surface of molars and premolars, occlusal 2/3 of
the buccal and lingual surface of molars and
lingual surface of the anteriors
Class – II:
Cavities present on the proximal surfaces of the
posterior teeth
Class – III:
Cavities present on the proximal surface of the
anterior teeth without involving the incisal angle
Class – IV:
Cavities present on the proximal surface of the
anterior teeth involving the incisal angle
Class – V:
Cavities present on the cervical 1/3 of all the
teeth
Class – VI:
Cavities present on the cuspal tips of posterior
teeth or incisal edge of the anterior teeth
Chair and operator
positions in
operative dentistry
• Efficient patient and operator position is
beneficial for the welfare of both persons

• Patient who is in a comfortable position is

more relaxed, has less muscular tension
and more cooperative

• With comfortable operator position,

operator will experience less physical strain
and fatigue and reduces the possibility of
developing musculoskeletal disorders
• Operator should avoid unnecessary
slumping of the shoulder and curvature
of the spine

• When the back and the chest are held in

the upright position with the shoulders
squared, proper breathing and
circulation are promoted

• Proper balancing and weight

distribution on both the feet is essential
when operating from a standing position
Chair and patient positions
• Modern dental chairs are designed to provide total
body support in any chair positions

• Patient should have direct access to the chair. Chair

height should be low, the back rest upright and the
arm rest adjusted to allow the patient to get into the
chair

• After the patient is seated, arm rest is returned to

the normal position

• The head rest cushion is adjusted to support the

head and elevate the chin slightly away from the
chest
• Most common patient position for the
operative dentistry are supine or reclined
45 degree
Operating positions
• Described by the location of the operator or by
the location of the operator’s arm in relation
to the patient position
• Right handed operator:
right front – 7 o’ clock
right – 9 o’ lock
right rear – 11 o’ clock
direct rear – 12 o’ clock
• Left handed operator
left front – 5 o’ clock
left – 3 o’ clock
left rear – 1 o’ clock
• Right front:
- mandibular anterior teeth
- mandibular posterior teeth on the right side
- maxillary anterior teeth

• Right :
- facial surfaces of mandibular and maxillary -
posterior teeth and occlusal surface of the
mandibular right posterior teeth
• Right rear:
- Lingual, incisal and occlusal surfaces of the
maxillary teeth
- Mandibular teeth on the left side
- also called as UNIVERSAL POSITION

• Direct rear:
- lingual surface of the mandibular anterior teeth
General considerations
• Maxillary arch
- occlusal surface – perpendicular to the floor

• Mandibualr arch
- occlusal surface – 45 degree to the floor

• Left hand is used to retract the lip and cheek

• Instrument exchange – over the chest of the

patient
Operating stool
• Thighs should be parallel to the floor

• Lower part of the leg should be

perpendicular to the floor

• Feet should rest completely on the floor

• Back rest of the operating stool is adjusted

to the level in such a way that the operator
should lean slightly towards the patient