I am a D1, and was merely surprised that a student was given a pre-clinical assignment without proper guidance thats all. I know I never had to go any farther then our simlab/text for instruction.
Did it ever occur to you folks that this is probably NOT a dental student looking for answers to a question you all seem to know all about, but aren't willing to give a little help. They are on SDN as a "Pre-dent" so they could very well be doing a 5th grade science paper for all we know.....
Here is how a textbook from dental school explains it:
Class I lesions occur in pits and fissures of all teeth, but this class is essentially intended for bicuspids and molars. Figures 2-14 and 2-15 illustrate common sites on the teeth where this lesion might occur.
(Baum, Lloyd. Textbook of Operative Dentistry, 3rd Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, 1995. 2.6.1).
Sequence of Preparation.
It is assumed that the dento-enamel junction has been penetrated but that no substantial amount of dentin has been destroyed by caries. If caries penetration has been deep, attention is directed to optional step 4 following.
1. Enter the pit with a No. ½ round bur to a depth of 2 mm (1½ mm for small premolars; 3 mm for husky molars). *
2. Maintaining this depth, the cavity is extended out all grooves until evidence of defective fissures disappears. This includes supplemental as well as developmental grooves (Fig. 11-10). Proper depth of penetration is automatic with an experienced clinician; not so with a novice. Until such time as he is able to measure relative cavity depth with the naked eye, a measuring "tool" is indicated. This can be done by scoring the shank of a bur with a diamond disk and/or by painting the shank of the bur with a marking pen 2 or 3 mm from the end (Fig. 11-11). In use this can serve as a depth gauge, as this small pilot bur mortises a guide groove for the cavity preparation. As mentioned earlier, this initial guide groove or slot is prepared with one major thought in mindthe elimination of potentially carious enamel fissures.
3. Use of the No. 330 bur is standard for this preparation, although many clinicians also utilize other burs as well (Fig. 11-12). Endeavor to restrict the width of an isthmus so that this pear-shaped bur cannot be withdrawn occlusally from the depth of the preparation because of the narrowed opening.
Variations in Class I outline and design for maxillary molars were shown in Figure 11-8. Similarly the variations in outline for the lower molars are found in Figure 11-13.
Because of their smaller size the premolars often fall prey to overcutting and overextension from the careless use of a bur. The proper outline for Class I cavities of maxillary premolars is shown in Figures 11-14 and 11-15, mandibular premolars in Figure 11-16. Another common error often made by the operator is to tilt the head of the handpiece toward the facial, presumably to obtain better vision. This makes a groove that is not properly aligned with the occlusal surface (see Figs. 11-14 and 11-16).
4. (Optional step) Pulpal floors may now be rendered flat with a No. 35 or 37 slow-speed inverted cone bur. Axial walls on lingual grooves of upper molars and facial grooves on lower molars may be treated likewise (see Fig. 11-8F). Care should be taken not to unduly undermine the walls during this stage of the preparation.
5. If caries has extended below the optimal level of floor depth, the removal of carious dentin is postponed until the cavity has been essentially prepared. Carious dentin is then removed with an excavator or round bur.
6. When a cement base is placed to raise the pulpal floor to its proper height, it may be finished with a No. 35 or 37 bur so that it will be smooth and flush with the adjacent dentin (Fig. 11-17).
7. Final finishing of the enamel margins is accomplished with hand instruments (Figs. 11-13 and 11-18) and with high-speed burs (Nos. 330 and 245) under light pressure.
(Baum, Lloyd. Textbook of Operative Dentistry, 3rd Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, 1995. 11.3.1.2).
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Hope this helps a little.