This second article in the two-part series on wax carving provides a step-by-step guide focusing on the coronal anatomy of whole posterior teeth. The exercises are primarily designed to help clinicians simulate and master the carving and shaping of extensive dental amalgam and posterior resin composite restorations, as well as for use in designing fixed and removable prosthodontic restorations.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of posterior teeth is a key skill in dentistry.
Article
As the key aims of restorative dentistry are to restore the form, function and aesthetics of damaged teeth, it is important that clinicians have detailed knowledge and understanding of the three-dimensional anatomical shapes of posterior (and anterior) teeth.
The following step-by-step guide has been developed over a 14-year period for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate tooth anatomy at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, where it is used alongside tooth drawing exercises.1 The materials, equipment and waxing and carving techniques described in part one are now applied to the whole crown of a mandibular right first permanent molar (LR6).2 The same protocol may then be repeated for all other molar and premolar teeth.
Specialised carving wax is recommended, and is available in a range of colours (Yeti IQ wax; Bracon Dental Laboratory Products, East Sussex, UK). The green version provides clear definition of carved fissure patterns.
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