Devised by American dentist G.V. Black (1836–1915).
Cavities were classified according to the part of the tooth the caries affected
Class I
cavities in pits/fissures of occlusal surfaces in posterior teeth (premolars/molars), buccal/lingual molar pits, lingual pit near the cingulum of the maxillary incisor
Class II
cavities in proximal surfaces of posterior teeth (premolars and molars)
Class III
cavities in proximal surfaces of anterior teeth (incisors and canines) that do not involve the incisal angle
Class IV
cavities in proximal surfaces of anterior teeth (incisors or canines) that involve the incisal angle
Class V
cavities in the cervical/gingival third of the oral/buccal surfaces of any tooth
Filling Materials
Amalgam-I,II
Indications- large cavities
- low aesthetics
- heavy occlusal contacts
- poor isolation
- extension onto root surface
- aesthetic areas
- small/medium restorations that can be well isolated (use composite)
Composite-III,IV
(I,II,III,IV,V with modern composite systems)
Indications- small/medium cavities
- aesthetics
- poor oral hygiene (use amalgam instead)
- poor adhesion conditions
- likelihood of falling out
GI-V
Indications- preventive filling/Very small filling
- to release flouride ions
- poor strength
dentalsmackers 