PRINCIPLES OF

TOOTH
PREPARATION
(Lecture or Part-2)
3. STRUCTURAL DURABILITY
A restoration must contain a bulk of material that is adequate to withstand the forces of
[Link] bulk must be confined to the space created by the tooth preparation ie.
•Occlusal reduction
•Functional cusp bevel
•Adequate axial reduction
•Marginal integrity
•Marginal placement
•Marginal Adaptation
•Marginal geometry
•Margin designs
OCCLUSAL REDUCTION:-
An important feature for providing adequate bulk of metal & strength to the
restoration is occlusal clearance.
The occlusal reduction should reproduce the basic inclined plane pattern of the
occlusal surface without overshortening or flat plane.

Gold alloys – 1.5mm (FC) & 1mm(NFC)

Metal-ceramic crowns- 1.5-2mm(FC) & 1-1.5mm(NFC)
All-ceramic crowns – 1.5 (NFC) -2mm (FC) or incisal edge
FUNCTIONAL CUSP BEVEL:-
It is an integral part of the occlusal reduction.
A wide bevel on the lingual inclines of the maxillary palatal cusps & the buccal
inclines of the mandibular buccal cusps provides space for an adequate bulk of
metal or ceramic in an area of heavy occusal contact.
 If a wide bevel is not placed on the functional cusp, several problems may occur :
- If the crown is waxed & cast to normal contour it can cause a thin area or
perforation in the casting.

-To prevent this the crown may be waxed to optimal thickness resulting in
overcontouring & poor occlusion.
AXIAL REDUCTION:-
It plays an important role in securing space for an adequate thickness of
restorative material.
A. adequate axial reduction
B. inadequate axial reduction results in crown with thin , weak walls

C. Bulky crown results in promoting plaque

accumulation , jeopardising the health of
periodontium
Other features that will provide space for metal that will improve the rigidity &
durability of the restoration are:
The offset, occlusal shoulder, isthmus, proximal groove & box.
 4. MARGINAL INTEGRITY
The restoration can survive in the biological environment of the oral cavity only if the margins are closely adapted to the
cavosurface finish line of the preparation.
Should be close fitting- minimum cement exposure
Adequate strength
Locatable to the dentist and cleansable to patient

Types of Margins :

Knife edge Chamfer Heavy chamfer Shoulder

Radial shoulder Bevel shoulder

MARGIN PLACEMENT:-
Whenever possible
Advantages the margin
of supragingival ofare:-
margins the preparation should be supragingival.
• Easily finished.

• easily kept clean

• Easy to make impressions with less damage to soft tissue.

• Restorations –easily evaluated –at recall.

Subgingival margins of cemented restorations are a major factor in periodontal disease.

Subgingival margin is justified if any of the following pertains:-

1)Dental caries, cervical erosion extend subgingivally.
2)Proximal contact area extends to the gingival crest
3)Additional retention is needed
4)Margin of a metal-ceramic crown is to be hidden behind the labiogingival crest.
5)Root sensitivity (not controlled by conservative means or dentin bonding agents).
6)Modification of axial contour is indicated.
MARGIN ADAPTATION:-
The junction between a cemented restoration and the tooth is always a potential
site for recurrent caries because of the dissolution of luting agent and inherent
roughness.
The more accurately the restoration is adapted to the tooth, the lesser the chance
of recurrent caries or periodontal disease.
 MARGIN GEOMETRY:-
For the evaluation of the margin the following guidelines for margin design
should be considered.
1)  Ease of preparation without overextension or unsupported enamel.
   2) Readily identifiable in impression & on die.
   3) A distinct boundary to which the wax pattern can be finished.
   4) Provide sufficient bulk of material.
5) Conservation of tooth structure.
 MARGIN DESIGNS:-
Advantages Disadvantages Indications
 
 
Feather Edge Conservation of Does not provide Not recommended
  tooth structure sufficient bulk

Chisel Edge Conservation Location of margin Occasionally on tilted

difficult to control tooth
Chamfer Distinct margin, adequate bulk easier Care is needed to Cast metal
to control. remove unsupported lip restoration
of enamel

Heavy or Deep Bulk of material + advantage of Facial margin of metal

round internal angles Less conservative ceramic & all margin of
Chamfer
Full ceramic restorations
Facial margin of metal
Bulk of restorative Material Less conservative ceramic & all margin of
Shoulder Full ceramic restorations
Facial margin of metal
Bulk of material + advantage of Less conservative
Sloped (Radial) ceramic & all margin of
Shoulder bevel Full ceramic restorations
Facial margin of metal
Bulk of material + Adv. Of bevel Less conservative ceramic & all margin of
apically extends Full ceramic restorations
Shoulder with
with supraginigval
Bevel margins
5. Preservation of periodontium
• The placement of finish lines has a direct bearing on the ease of fabricating a restoration & on
the ultimate success of the restoration.
• Margins that are smooth & fully exposed to cleansing action give best results.
• Finish lines should be placed in enamel when it is possible to do so.
• Subgingival restorations are described as a major etiologic factor in periodontitis.
• The deeper the restoration margin resides in the gingival sulcus the greater the inflammatory
response.
REFERENCES
Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics, Herbert T. Shillingburg
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics ,Stephen [Link]