The document provides a review of G.V. Black's classification of dental caries. Black's classification is the standard used to identify carious lesions, prepare cavities, and name restorations. It divides caries into six categories based on the tooth surfaces involved. Understanding Black's classification is important for patient care, documentation, exams, and communication between dental professionals. The review aims to help students understand and retain the classification in a low-stress environment.

1. A REVIEW OF
G.V.BLACK’S
CLASSIFICATION
OF DENTAL
CARIES
By: Brenda Marriott RDH,BS

2.  Dental Caries is the result of a pathological disease
process caused by the external demineralization of the
hard structures of the tooth surface. Caries remain
localized and occur after the tooth has erupted thus
leaving it susceptible to its environment.
 A host environment rich in bacteria, breakdown
carbohydrates and sugars into acids. These acids
attack the hard structures of the tooth causing decay.
 This Power Point will give the student a review of
G.V.Black’s Classification of dental caries, which is the
standard method used for the identification of carious
lesions (cavities), preparations of the site and the
restoration itself when completed.

3. The Purpose
 Do to the vast amount of material covered in
the Dental Hygiene Curriculum in such a short
time, much information is not retained in the
students long term memory.
 Therefore: A review of G.V.Black’s
Classification of Dental Caries would be of
benefit the student.
 THE PURPOSE: of this Power Point is to help the
Dental Hygiene student understand Black’s
Classification of Dental Caries which they
can access in a non-threatening environment
at their own convenience.

4. The Big Question
 Why do I need to know G.V. Black’s
Classification of dental caries?
G.V. Black’s method of the Classification of Dental Caries
is the standard used in the Unites States when referring to
dental decay, cavity preparation, and the name of the
restoration of a tooth. The six categories are numbered by
roman numerals , and are divided into classes based on
the surfaces involved on the tooth. (Wilkins, 2005)
You need to be able to describe where decay is located,
the type of preparation needed to restore the tooth, as
well as the name of the final restoration for patient care,
insurance reporting, documentation, treatment planning
and communication with your instructors, peers and
future co-workers.
You also need it for your State and National Board Exams!

5.  Prerequisites:
Admittance into the Dental
Hygiene Program.
 Limitations: Computer needed.
 TimeFrame: None, this review may be
accessed anytime.
 Standards:

6.  At the end of this tutorial the student should be able to:
1. State the six classifications of dental caries, and their
locations. (REMEMBERING)
2. Identify the classification of the dental lesion by its
location on the tooth surface. (UNDERSTANDING)
3. Choose the correct classification based on the tooth
surface(s) given. (APPLYING))
4. Differentiate the factors involved in determining each
classification. (ANALYZING)
5. Select the classification of caries based on the data
presented. (EVALUATING)
6. Write the correct classification of caries based on the
image provided. (CREATING)

7. Pre-Assessment Quiz
 Identifythe classification of dental caries by their
location.
A B C D E F G H
(,Jessica, 2011)

8. The Answers
Let see how well you remembered and
identified the six classifications of dental
caries by their locations!
A, Class I
B. Class II
C. Class III
D Class IV
E, Class V
F. Class VI

10. Class I
LOCATION: PIT & FISSURE AREAS OF:
INCISORS- MAXILLARY LINGUAL
PREMOLARS- OCCUSAL
MOLARS- OCCUSAL
FACIAL
LINGUALS
(Dozenist, 2006)
Marriott,B.2011

11. Class II
LOCATION: PROXIMAL SURFACES
PREMOLARS: MESIAL
DISTAL
MOLARS: MESIAL
DISTAL
(Duran a, 2010)

12. Class III
 LOCATION: Proximal
surfaces that DO NOT
involve the incisal line
angle.
 INCISORS- Mesial & Distal
 Canines- Mesial & Distal
(Ruprect a, 2010)

13. Class IV
LOCATION: Proximal Surfaces
Involving the incisal line angle.
INCISORS: Mesio-incisal, MI
Disto-incisal, DI
CANINES: Mesio-incisal, MI
Disto-Incisal, DI
(Ruprect a, 2010)

14. CLASS V
(Ruprect a, 2010)
LOCATION: CERVICAL 1/3 OF ALL TEETH
(Does not include pit & fissure areas)

15. Class VI
 LOCATION: Incisal Edges of all
anterior teeth and cusp tips of
all posterior teeth.
(Dozenist, 2006)
CITATION FOR BOTH IMAGES

16. Ok lets do a little analyzing!
Smooth Surface Caries are Located:
CLASS II: Proximal surfaces of premolars & molars
CLASS III: Proximal surfaces of incisors & canines
CLASS IV: Proximal surfaces involving the INCISAL LINE ANGLLS
CLASS V: Cervical 1/3 of facial & lingual surfaces (Not
including pit & fissure areaS)
Class VI: incisal edges of all anterior teeth & Cusp tips of all
posterior teeth.

17. Pit & Fissures
 These cavities are located on the pit &
fissures of the:
 Incisors: Maxillary lingual surfaces
 Premolars: Occusal surfaces
 Molars: Occusal surfaces
Lingual surfaces
Facial surfaces

18. Time for Evaluating
Select the classification of caries based
on the location of the tooth surfaces
given:
1. Proximal surfaces that do not involve
the incisal line angle.
2. Incisal edges of anterior teeth and
cusp tips of posterior teeth.
3. Maxillary linguals of incisors
4. Proximal surfaces of premolars &
molars.

19. LETS CHECK YOUR
EVALUATION ANSWERS
1. CLASS iii
2. CLASS VI
3. CLASS 1
4. CLASS II
5. CLASS V
6. CLASS VI
Repeat all slides until correct then
proceed to next slide!

20. Evaluating Continued
5. Cervical 1/3 of all teeth, NOT including
pits & fissures
6. Incisal edges of anterior teeth & cusp
tips of posterior teeth

21. Post Assessment Evaluation
Quiz
 Lets
see if you can formulate the correct
classification of caries based on the
images provided
1. 2.

22. Post Assessment
Lets see if you can formulate the correct classification of
caries based on the images provided
3. 4.
(Duran a, 2010)
(Ruprect a, 2010)

23. Post Assessment Quiz
(Duran a, 2010)
 5. 6.
(Duran a, 2010)
Marriott b, 2011

24.  1. CLASS I
 2. CLASS IV
 3. CLASS V
 4. CLASS II
 5. CLASS III
 6. CLASS VI

25. THE END

26. References
 TEXT: Wilkins, E. (2005). The teeth. In I.
Goucher,John, I. Deitz,Kevin & I.
Define,Caroline (Eds.), Clinicl Practice of
the Dental Hygienist (pp. 263-264). Boston,
MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
 iMAGES:
 Slide7: ,Jessica, R. (2011, August 27). Black
vardiman black [Web log message].
Retrieved from
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greene_Vard
iman_Black
 Slide

27. References Continued
 Duran a. (2010, December 12). Tooth
[Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Teeth
 Dozenist. (2006, August 15). Tooth [Web
log message]. Retrieved from
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M
andibularLeftMolars08-15-
06.jpegwikimedia.oeg/wiki/Teeth
 Ruprect a. (2010, December 02). Tooth
decay pictures from ui dentistry [Web log
message]. Retrieved from
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/uiowa/den
t/toothdecay3.html

28. References Continued
 Ruprect a. (2010, December 02). Tooth
decay pictures from ui dentistry [Web log
message]. Retrieved from
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/ui/dent/to
othdecay3.html