My first encounter with Operative Dentistry

Operative Dentistry or O.D (being medicos that's the first thing we do to any given terminology, that is, cut it short!), is my favorite subject of second year at college. For all those who are still wondering what it is about, it is a subject of Dental Science. O.D deals with cavity preparations and filling. So now you have a basic idea about it. 
It all started in the 'Phantom head lab'( a pre-clinical set up where we practice tooth cavity preparations on mannequin).I had a look at it once, when I was a fresher. Was so curious to work on it, and now when I actually do, I feel that inquisitive Dentist in me.

HISTORY:
Our first exercise was definitely an introduction , where we were briefed about the field of study. Then came the elephant sized tooth, on which we had to make cavities (which we are supposed to burr drill on patient's tooth). We use narrow and broad chisels for cavity preparation on a plaster model. (My topic will lose interest if I start explaining the dental instruments, maybe if I come up with something interesting on them, later ;) )

My first try at forming the chisel-cut 'well' into the model, where the faculty told me, I can rest with a blanket! ;)

Later on, we were made to wax fill the self-made cavities, just so as to have an idea, what cavity filling is like.
                                                                                                       

I could hear them say-'Perfect!'

Wax filling and carving.

PRESENT: 
Now we no more have to work on the above shown plaster models. Acrylic teeth! 

My dentist dost at work! Poser :)

Okay, the terminology rolls in! So the mannequin wait for us in the Phantom head lab. We then fix base with teeth screwed in it. Set it in position, as in the height we feel ourselves comfortable to work at. Arrange the instruments, which are classified as diagnostic, cutting, carving, burnishing, and post-carving instruments(in order of usage). Micromotor(MM) (that appears to me as a sea horse), fixed on the handle, the burr(straight, inverted cone, tapering, round) we have to work with is adjusted into the MM. We start with the cutting of and finally constructing a cavity. Till now we have mastered(yeah!) class I, Class II, MOD cavity preparations. That's enough for us at the end of first sem of the II year! Phew!


HEADS UP:
Most of us don't care about the sitting position,which has been stated to be:

• Upright, with comfortably occupying the whole chair, so as to be in a stable posture. 
• The feet should firmly rest on the ground. 
• Pen grip hold on the micromotor. 
• Not to bend and enter the patient's mouth, he surely won't like that.(For maxillary cavity preparation  most of us did!)
  
• Not to wear rings/watch/accessories while at work.(Since they can be a cause of infection)
• Always use a mouth mirror.

FUTURE:
Is in my hands, and patients mouth! :) Eagerly waiting to be in III year!!!

Written by Priyanka Pant.

Priyanka is a 2nd year BDS student  (2010-2015) from Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, India.

She describes herself as a Music and nature lover/Nomad/ Fine artist(sketching)/Sportsperson