Page 23 - My FlipBook

NOMENCLATURE. 6

Cavities occurring in the occlusal surfaces of the teeth are
called occlusal cavities. They occur in the molars and bicuspids,
constituting a group.
Cavities occurring in the buccal surfaces of the bicuspids
and molars are called buccal cavities, and constitute a group.
Cavities occurring in the lingual surfaces of the bicuspids
and molars are called lingual cavities. They are not frequent.
Cavities occurring in the proximal surfaces of the teeth are
called proximal cavities. These are divided into two groups:
those occurring in the bicuspids and molars forming one group,
bicuspid and molar proximal cavities; and those occurring in
the incisors and cuspids forming a separate group, incisor
proximal cavities. The forms of the proximal sui'faces of these
two groups of teeth are so different as to require differences
in consideration and treatment. Each of these groups is again
subdivided into mesial cavities and distal cavities. Mesial cavi-
ties are those that are in surfaces of the teeth toward the median
line as we follow the curve of the arch. The median line is the
central line of the face, the head, or of the whole body, from
before backward, perpendicularly. Distal cavities are those
that are in the surfaces of the teeth farthest from the median
line, following the curve of the arch.
Cavities occurring in the lingual surfaces of the upper incis-
ors are considered as a separate group, incisor lingual cavities.
Cavities occurring in the labial surfaces of the incisors and
cuspids are called labial cavities.
When a cavity involves two or more surfaces of a tooth,
either by the extension of decay or by cutting in its preparation,
a complex cavity is formed. Complex cavities are named by
combining the names of the surfaces of the tooth involved by
the cavity: as mesio-occlusal cavity; mesio-occluso-distal cav-
ity, etc.
In each of these groups the individual cavity name is ren-
dered specific by adding the name of the tooth in which it occurs,
as : Occlusal cavity in the left upper first molar, mesial cavity
in the right upper central incisor, etc. We use proximal cavity
or cavities only as a general term, always using mesial or distal
when speaking of a particular proximal cavity.
In addition to these terms, all cavities which occur in the
axial surfaces of the teeth are called axial surface cavities. An
axial surface of a tooth is one, the general plane of which is
parallel with the long axis of the tooth. These include all buccal,
or labial, lingual and proximal cavities.