Class I cavity preparation for

amalgam restoration

Prepared by : DR. Afnan Elwadia

Cavity Class I in lower
permanent molars
Armamentarium:
▪ High speed handpiece

▪ Low speed handpiece

▪ Explorer

▪ Periodontal probe

▪ Round bur

▪ Fissure bur

▪ no. 245 bur (inverted bur)

Walls of class I cavity

Buccal
wall
Distal wall Mesial wall
Lingual wall

Pulpal floor
Steps of cavity preparation

According to G.V.Black , the mechanical steps of

cavity preparation are: →
1. Outline form.
2. Resistance and retention forms.
3. Convenience form.
4. Removal of remaining carious dentin.
5. Finishing of enamel wall.
6. Toilet of the cavity.
 Outline form:
• include all carious and undermined enamel and all
pits and fissures.
• → extended to area self-cleansible.
• → Have sweepingcurves
▪ The bucco-lingual width →1/4 - 1/3 the inter-cuspal
distance.
▪ The mesio-distal width → midway between the
triangular fossa and the crest of the marginal ridge.
 Outline Form
Access is obtained by a small round bur.➢
 Outline Form
➢With the help of no. 245 bur or no. 330 bur, establish
the external outline form to extend all margins into sound
tooth tissue.

N.B:

➢Bur should be kept parallel to long axis of the tooth and it

should be rotating when applied to the tooth and should not
stop rotating until removed.
OutlineForm
➢ Extend the margin mesiallyand distally but do not involve
marginal ridges (midway between the triangular

fossa and the crest of marginal ridge).

OutlineForm
➢While working towards mesial and distal surface, orient the bur
towards respective marginal ridge. This will result in slight divergence
(less than 10 degrees) of mesial and distal walls which helps to
provide dentinal support for marginal ridges.
 OutlineForm
➢The isthmus width should be as narrow as possible, it
should not be wider than ¼ the inter-cuspal distance.

Isthmus
Resistance form:
- Maximum conservation of sound
tooth structure.
- Minimal cavity width.
- Flat and smooth pulpal floor
parallel to the occlusal plane.
- Roundation of axial line angles

- Providing bulk through the cavity

depth 0.5 - 1 mm beyond the DEJ.
Resistance Form
➢ Adequate thickness of amalgam, keep the minimum occlusal
depth of 1.5 mm.

➢So…. Cavity depth = 1.5 -2 mm

➢0.2-0.5 mm preparation into dentin.

 Resistance Form
➢The cavosurface angle of (CSA = 90°).

➢Flat pulpal floor parallel to the

occlusal plane (box shape).
➢Restrict the extension of external walls so as
to have strong marginal ridge areas.
Resistance Form
➢Remove all the weakened tooth structure.
➢Round off all the internal line and point
angles.
 Retention form:

▪ It is only against axial

displacement in the formof
mechanical undercuts in
dentin by converging the
cavity walls occlusally about
5-15° from the tooth long
axis.
Retention
Form
Convenience form:

▪ There is no need for convenience in class I

cavity preparation as it is easily seen and
instrumented. The only means of convenience
form in class I is determination of cavity walls,
line and point angles and selection of suitable
sized instruments.
Removal of remaining carious dentin:

• Extension of the cavity should ensure all

caries is removed from peripheral DEJ.
Finishing of enamel wall
• Takethe same direction of enamel rods without undermining.
→CSA90o.
Roundation and finishing the cavity walls with a low speed
carbide burs.

• -Buccal and lingual walls→ converging

occlusally.
• -Mesial and distal walls →diverging
occlusally.
Toilet of the cavity

• The prepared cavity should be:

▪Free from all debris.

▪No disinfectant should be used to clean the

cavity.

▪Don’t desiccate it.

 Summary

• Cavity width - 1/4 intercuspal width (1-1.5 mm)1/3

• Depth Pulpal floor 1.5-2 mm

Flat, // to the occlusal plane
Buccal and lingual walls
Convergent
Mesial and distal walls
Divergent
 Buccal pit
cavity
preparation
Buccal pit cavity preparation
▪ The outline form is triangular.

▪ The apex is towards the occlusal.

▪ Mesial, distal and gingival walls converge

buccally to provide retention

▪ The base is the gingival wall parallel with

the occlusal plane. It’s placed at or occlusal
to the height of contour.
Buccal pit cavity preparation
▪ Initial access by a small round bur.

▪ Using a small round bur or #330 bur, entry is made through

the center of the defective pit.

▪ Orientate the long axis of the #330 bur at right angles to the
buccal surface of the tooth.

▪ The mesial and distal walls run

respective ends of the gingival wall. the to apexthefrom