Recent advances in operative dentistry for children

Abstract

A review of articles on operative technics that can be used with children which have been written during the past ten years reveals that most authors consider silver amalgam as the filling material of choice for restorations in deciduous teeth. The authors also agree that a modified type of cavity preparation should be em­ ployed for these teeth. Because of dif­ ferent training and teaching backgrounds as well as differing individual experiences and philosophies, however, complete agreement does not exist as to the manner in which the cavity preparations should be modified in order to compensate for the inherent anatomic variations in de­ ciduous teeth, and at the same time to enhance the qualities of the silver amalgam restoration. This is especially true with regard to the Class II cavity preparation. Nu­ merous methods for the preparation of such cavities in deciduous teeth have been reported in the literature, as well as a variety of suggestions and admonish­ ments with regard to the depth, width, shape and form which the cavity prepara­ tion should assume.1;8 It is little wonder that many dentists find themselves in a dilemma as to which preparation they should employ. The 1951 report of a committee ap­ pointed by the American Academy of Pedodontics to study the principles of proximoocclusal cavity preparations for deciduous molar teeth, and the research projects which have been conducted at various dental schools during the past few years have done much to solve the prob­ lem and place the Class II cavity prepara­ tion for deciduous teeth on a more