Tooth preparation is the process of removal of the carious part of tooth and shaping the tooth for better retention and resistance of the restorative material. The definition given in Sturdevant’s art & science of operative dentistry is taken as the official definition. Tooth preparation can also be termed as cavity preparation.
Definition of tooth preparation by Sturdevant
Tooth preparation is the mechanical alteration of a defective, injured, or diseased tooth such that placement of restorative material re-establishes normal form and function, including aesthetic corrections, where indicated.
There are 2 stages of tooth preparation:
- Initial tooth preparation stage
- Final tooth preparation stage
Let’s learn about steps of tooth preparation:
Steps of Initial tooth preparation
Step 1: Outline form & Initial depth
Step 2: Primary Resistance form
Step 3: Primary Retention form
Step 4: Convenience form
Steps of Final tooth preparation
Step 5: Removal of any Infected Dentin and/or any old restorative material, if indicated
Step 6: Pulp protection, if indicated
Step 7: Secondary resistance & retention form
Step 8: Procedures for finishing external walls
Step 9: Final procedures: Cleaning, Inspecting & Sealing