Dental caries can be classified in several ways: 1. By anatomical site as pit and fissure caries (occlusal surfaces), smooth surface caries (everywhere but especially proximal), or root caries (exposed on root surfaces). 2. By status as primary (untreated), recurrent (around restorations), or residual (remaining after restoration). 3. By progression speed as active (rapid), inactive/arrested (slow), chronic (slow and hard), or rampant (multiple sites quickly). 4. By treatment need and restoration design from Class 1 to 6 depending on location. 5. By caries pathway as forward (enamel cavity larger) or backward

1. DENTAL CARIES
(Classification)

2. • Defination
• Shafer :- “microbial disease of the calcified tissue s of the
teethe, characterised by the Demineralization of the calcified
tissues And destruction of the Organic substance of the teeth.
“
• Sturdevant :- “ An infectious microbial disease of the
teeth That results in localised dissolution and destruction of
calcified structures. “

4. 1. According to anatomical site
1. Pit and fissure caries
On occlusal surface of posterior teeth and
Buccal and lingual surface of molars And on
palatal surface of maxillary.
2. Smooth surface caries
These are usually everywhere on the tooth
surfaceSpeciallyAnd proximal surfaces.
3. Root caries
They are exposed on root surfaces.

5. 1. According new or recurrent lesion
1. Primary Caries
It is carries in an restored tooth surfaces or carries
without treatment done.
2. Recurrent Caries
These are lesions developing adjacent to the restoration
also known as secondary caries
3. Residual caries
These are those carries which remain in the tooth surface
even after the Restoration is placed place.

6. According to speed of progression
1. Active carious lesion
Rapidly inVading affecting many Tooths
2. Inactive/ arrested carious lesion
Slowly progressive longstanding caries Characterized by Open by
cavity that no longer retain food and Became self cleansing.
3. Chronic lesion
This is slowly progressing long standing lesion. It is hard in consistency
and dark in colour.
4. Rampant lesions
Multiple Carriers lesions affecting different tooth surfaces in short
period of time.

7. • Based on treatment ane
restoration design
• Class 1
Pit and fissure carries occurring on the posterior
surface of the premolars and molars, Occlusal to
two third of the buccal surface of the molars And
palatal surface of the maxillary anteriors.
• Class 2
On the proximal surface of the posterior
• Class 3
On the proximal surface of the anterior teeth
without involving incisal edge
• Class4
Involving incisal edge
• Class 5
Gingival third of the facial and lingual or palatal
surface of the tooth.
• Class 6
Caries involving incisal edge of the interiors and
possible tips of the posterior tooth

10. •Based on pathway of
caries
• Forward caries
When the when the
caries cone in enamel is
larger Or of of same size
as compared to Dentin.
• Backward caries
Inverted triangular in
shape having base larger
in dentine and apex
pointed in enamel.

13. Graham mount‘s classification
This system is based on two simple parameters
1. location of various lesion
2. Site of carious lesion
Here the system is designed to recognize carious lesion in
the beginning in which remineralization is indicated.

14. Thank you