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Plastic restorative material technique

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Technique for plastic restorative material

Give local anaesthetic before commencing cavity preparation as this technique requires sound dentine to be cut. 

Image shows a photograph and radiograph of an upper molar tooth with caries

Images show a photograph (left) and radiograph (right) of an upper left E with mesial caries

Consider the use of rubber dam.

Gain access to caries using a high-speed handpiece, leaving a wall of enamel to protect the adjacent tooth.

Remove caries with a slow-speed handpiece and excavators.

  • Be aware of pulp chamber anatomy to reduce the risk of pulpal exposure. 

Preparation of a cavity for restoration

Images show an access cavity with a wall of enamel left to protect the adjacent tooth (left) caries excavation (centre) prepared cavity (right)

To prevent iatrogenic damage, prepare proximal cavity margins using a wedge, gingival margin trimmers or a matrix band on the adjacent tooth. 

Place the restoration.

  • If at risk of pulpal exposure, place an indirect pulp cap.
  • Do not use conventional glass ionomer materials for restoration of a multi-surface cavity due to the unacceptably high failure rate. 

Placement of a matrix band before restoration and the tooth after restoration

Images show a matrix band in place (left) and the final restoration (right)