Principles of Operative Dentistry

Dental students are faced with an array of operative procedures; understanding and the development of competence in their use is demanding. This text aims to detail and justify the basic principles involved in operative procedures with the intention of reinforcing understanding and improving clinical skills. Direct and indirect restorations and endodontic procedures are addressed. Not only for the student, this book is also designed as a source of reference for all practitioners who carry out restorative dentistry and are faced with the introduction of new materials and techniques. Referral to this text and evidence-based practice will assist the clinician in the appropriate selection of newer approaches to the delivery of modern day care.

Dental students are faced with an array of operative procedures;understanding and the development of competence in their use isdemanding. This text aims to detail and justify the basicprinciples involved in operative procedures with the intention ofreinforcing understanding and improving clinical skills. Direct andindirect restorations and endodontic procedures areaddressed.Not only for the student, this book is also designed as a sourceof reference for all practitioners who carry out restorativedentistry and are faced with the introduction of new materials andtechniques. Referral to this text and evidence-based practice willassist the clinician in the appropriate selection of newerapproaches to the delivery of modern day care.

FOREWORD.PREFACE.1. BASIC PRINCIPLES.Ergonomics.Examination of the dentition - Occlusion.Examination of the dentition - Charting.Dental caries.Moisture control.2. PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT INTERVENTION.Preservative management.Principles of operative intervention.Alternative preparation methods.Pulp protection.Supplementary retention for direct restorations.3. PRINCIPLES OF ENDODONTICS.Diagnosis and assessment.Endodontic imaging.Access cavities.Endodontic instruments.Cleaning and shaping.Medicaments.Obturation (root filling).4. ENDODONTICS - FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS.Trauma.Perio-endo connections.Elective endodontics.Restoration of the root filled tooth.5. PRINCIPLES OF INDIRECT RESTORATION.Introduction and indications.Core restorations.Principles of preparation.6. INDIRECT RESTORATIONS - FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS.Material type.Intra/extracoronal restoration.Partial coverage restorations.Temporisation.Impression taking.Methods of construction.Limited resistance and retention.Creation of interocclusal space.Limitations of indirect restorations.7. MAINTENANCE OF THE RESTORED DENTITION.Maintenance.Failure.Replacement and repair.8. EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE.Introduction - what is evidence based practice.Identifying and defining relevant questions.Identifying evidence.Appraisal of research literature.Implementation of research evidence and evaluation of itsapplication.Conclusion