#3 DL Groove Advice

[Vicviper]

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Hey there folks. So in Amalgam we're going a class 1 prep on 3, extending into the DL groove on plastic teeth. My professor suggests just going straight down with a 56 through the ridge to cut the groove out, but every time I try this it either ends up going the wrong angle or I just make a really ugly looking cut. The one time I was able to make a decent looking cut (while using the mirror) I just took the side of the 56 and pushed it right up against the groove and drove it in, but it got a tad singed... and I don't think that'd work on a real patient.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[bigstix808]

have you tried making the occlusal prep all the way to OL line angle and then coming in the lingual with the bur end facing facial (rotate the handpiece)?

i know our profs told us that was hard, but they never said we couldn't do it. if you have room its worth a shot. if that doesn't work, i would just stock up on some plastic teeth and practice as much as you can with the technique you're doing now.

 

[eternalxdemon]

i do it the way you do it except i kinda move my 56 up and down a little you kno? so it's not completely pressing down... i kinda saw into the too? if that makes sense.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Why not start your prep directly in the distal pit and extend distally and lingually to make your dovetails

 

[my_quite]

Have you tried a 245? After you extend along the DL groove, place the 245 along the lingual side and lean the side of the bur against the groove. This allows you to follow the external surface contour while maintaining a proper angle. I tried it today on a #14DOL with great success.

 

[OceanDMD]

Loosen up, party like a rock star with that handpiece. My advice, pick up watercolors or oil painting. Its about the finger rest and confidence.

 

[Vicviper]

Thanks for the tips all! As some suggested, I'm using the 245 for the groove and loving it, it makes my preps so much easier, and then I just go in with a 56 in a slow speed or a hatchet / hoe and clean up the walls. I'm feathering it right into lingual with the side of the bur, and it's working great. Oh, and my bench instructor gave me the great secret for making indirect vision so much easier on the DL groove....... you turn the head and look at it with direct vision, hahahaha.