Comparison between the sequential and simultaneous approaches for the restoration of adjacent proximal cavities

The clinical situation in which several proximal carious lesions have to be treated is frequently encountered. The need to provide a cost-effective and time-effective treatment often compels the clinician to perform multiple adjacent proximal restorations simultaneously, at the same treatment session. Alternatively, such treatments may be performed sequentially in successive sessions. The different possible treatment modalities and their clinical sequel are described. Examination of the clinical results suggests that the preferred restorative procedure is the sequential one, enabling an optimal restoration of the original anatomical form, which is important for the proper health and function of the teeth and the surrounding periodontal tissues.