Guide to Preliminary Oral Inspection (POI)

Classification of Dental Caries & Restorations

Commonly classified by: Black’s Classification of Cavities

Developed by G.V. Black (early 1900s)
Helps a dentist decide the type of restoration of one tooth or many teeth
System is universal to all dentists
- Surface complexity
Identifies dental caries and restorations by the name of the surfaces they involve

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Class I Location of decay: Pits and fissures on occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars, buccal or lingual pits of molars, lingual pits of maxillary incisors

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Class II Location of decay: Proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of premolars and molars; may involve 2 or more surfaces

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Class III Location of decay: Proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines

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Class IV Location of decay: Proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines, also involving incisal angle

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Class V Location of decay: Gingival third of facial or lingual surfaces of any tooth; also known as smooth surface decay

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Class VI Location of decay: Incisal edge of anterior teeth, ocllusal surfaces of posterior teeth; also abrasion (wear) and defects

Classification by Complexity

Simple caries or restorations: involve only one tooth surface
Compound caries or restorations: involve two surfaces
Complex caries or restorations: involve more than two surfaces