Tooth Preparation and Restorative Materials
- Tooth preparation involves cutting the tooth to make space for restorative materials and remove decay.
- Materials used for tooth preparation include gold, amalgam, dental composites, glass ionomer cement, or porcelain.
- Direct restorations involve placing a soft or malleable filling into the prepared tooth and building it up.
- Different filling options are available based on the location and severity of the cavity.
- Dental restorative materials include alloys, ceramics, composites, and glass ionomer cement.

Indirect Restorations
- Indirect restorations are fabricated outside the mouth using dental impressions.
- Common types include inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, and veneers.
- They are usually bonded permanently with dental cement.
- Removable dental prostheses can also be considered indirect restorations.
- CAD/CAM technology can be used for chairside fabrication of indirect restorations.

Cavity Classifications
- GV Black classification categorizes cavities based on their site, such as occlusal, proximal, or gingival surfaces.
- Graham J. Mounts classification considers both site and size of the cavity.
- Class I cavities affect pit and fissure surfaces, while Class II affects proximal surfaces of molars and premolars.
- Class III cavities affect proximal surfaces of centrals, laterals, and cuspids.
- Class IV cavities affect proximal and incisal edges of anterior teeth.

Dental Restorative Materials
- Amalgams are alloys formed by a reaction between two or more metals, one of which is mercury.
- Direct gold fillings were used in the past but are rarely used today due to expense and specialized training requirements.
- Dental composites, also known as white fillings, are used for direct restorations, minor buildup, and filling in small gaps between teeth.
- Glass ionomer cement is commonly used as a direct filling material and for luting indirect restorations.
- Other restorative materials include porcelain, metal alloys, and ceramics.

Complications and Dental Implants
- Dental implants are anchors made from titanium or titanium alloy that support dental restorations.
- Complications of dental restorations include irritation of the nerve and weakening of the tooth structure.
- Root canal treatment may be considered if the nerve irritation persists.
- Larger amounts of tooth structure loss or filling material replacement can weaken the tooth, increasing the risk of tooth fracturing.
- Dental implants can be used for restorative applications such as crowns, bridges, and dental prostheses.