Patient's perception of location, form and size in case of cavity preparation

The aim of the present study was to clarify the difference between the imagination of patients and the reality in regard to the location, the form and the size of the cavity in case of cavity preparation for dental restoration. Firstly, we manufactured the dummy dentition for simulated cavity preparation and the operator intra-orally prepared a cavity on the dummy dentition in subject to confirm its validity. Then, 5 operators intra-orally prepared prescribed cavities at the both sides of maxillary first molars on the dummy dentition in every one of 5 subjects with masking. We compared the location, the form and the area of these prepared cavities with those imagined by subjects, respectively. In 58% of cases, the subjects could accurately recognize the location of prepared teeth. And 34% of cases also determined the Class of cavity form. The imagined area was larger than the actual area and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). These results suggested that the perception of the patients regarding the location and the form of the prepared cavity was inaccurate during cavity preparation and patients tended to overestimate amounts of removed tooth substance.