A cavity toilet in dentistry refers to the crucial step of cleaning a prepared tooth cavity before filling it. This process ensures the removal of debris and any remaining infected material.
The Process of Cavity Toilet
The purpose of a cavity toilet is to prepare a clean and receptive surface for the dental filling material, improving the filling's success and longevity.
The steps involved in a cavity toilet are:
- Removal of Debris: Clearing the cavity of small chips of tooth structure created during the preparation process.
- Carious Lesion Removal: Ensuring all traces of the carious lesion (decayed material) are eliminated.
- Water-Air Spray: Using a water-air spray to flush out the cavity. This helps dislodge remaining debris and provides a clear view of the prepared surfaces.
- Cotton Pellets: Employing cotton pellets to absorb excess moisture and meticulously clean the cavity walls.
- Drying: Finally, drying the cavity with oil-free air to ensure optimal bonding of the filling material.
In essence, the "toilet of the cavity" is cleaning of the cavity from small chips of cutting tooth structure and removing carious lesion, using water – air spray, cotton pellets then dryness with oil free air (as stated in the reference). This rigorous cleaning protocol is critical for a successful dental restoration.
