BDS Conservative Dentistry Syllabus

Conservative Dentistry syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Conservative Dentistry in BDS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Conservative Dentistry

   2 topics

   • Definition and Scope
     • History and Evolution
     • Principles and Objectives
   • Dental Anatomy and Physiology
     • Tooth Morphology
     • Dental Tissues
     • Pulp and Periapical Tissue
2. 2

   Dental Caries

   3 topics

   • Etiology and Pathogenesis
     • Microbial Factors
     • Host Factors
     • Dietary Factors
   • Diagnosis and Detection
     • Clinical Examination
     • Radiographic Techniques
     • Advanced Diagnostic Tools
   • Prevention and Management
     • Fluoride Therapy
     • Sealants
     • Dietary Counseling
3. 3

   Restorative Materials

   2 topics

   • Types of Materials
     • Amalgam
     • Composite Resins
     • Glass Ionomer Cements
     • Ceramics
   • Properties and Manipulation
     • Physical Properties
     • Biocompatibility
     • Handling Techniques
4. 4

   Cavity Preparation

   3 topics

   • Principles of Cavity Design
     • Outline Form
     • Resistance Form
     • Retention Form
     • Convenience Form
   • Steps in Cavity Preparation
     • Initial Preparation
     • Final Preparation
   • Instrumentation
     • Hand Instruments
     • Rotary Instruments
     • Lasers in Cavity Preparation
5. 5

   Direct Restorations

   3 topics

   • Amalgam Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Postoperative Care
   • Composite Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Finishing and Polishing
   • Glass Ionomer Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Advantages and Disadvantages
6. 6

   Indirect Restorations

   3 topics

   • Inlays and Onlays
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Materials Used
     • Clinical Procedure
   • Crowns
     • Types of Crowns
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Cementation
   • Veneers
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Materials Used
     • Clinical Procedure
7. 7

   Endodontics

   3 topics

   • Pulpal and Periapical Diseases
     • Etiology and Classification
     • Clinical Features
     • Diagnostic Methods
   • Root Canal Treatment
     • Principles and Objectives
     • Instrumentation Techniques
     • Obturation Techniques
   • Endodontic Emergencies
     • Diagnosis and Management
     • Pain Control
     • Management of Flare-ups
8. 8

   Aesthetic Dentistry

   3 topics

   • Principles of Aesthetic Dentistry
     • Smile Design
     • Tooth Shade Selection
   • Bleaching Techniques
     • In-office Bleaching
     • At-home Bleaching
     • Side Effects and Management
   • Aesthetic Restorations
     • Composite Bonding
     • Porcelain Veneers
     • Ceramic Crowns
9. 9

   Trauma Management

   3 topics

   • Classification of Dental Injuries
     • Crown Fractures
     • Root Fractures
     • Luxation Injuries
   • Emergency Management
     • Initial Assessment
     • Immediate Treatment
   • Long-term Management
     • Follow-up Protocol
     • Complications and Their Management
10. 10

    Lasers in Conservative Dentistry

    3 topics

    • Types of Lasers
      • Soft Tissue Lasers
      • Hard Tissue Lasers
    • Applications in Dentistry
      • Cavity Preparation
      • Soft Tissue Management
      • Endodontic Procedures
    • Advantages and Limitations
      • Clinical Benefits
      • Potential Drawbacks
11. 11

    Recent Advances in Conservative Dentistry

    3 topics

    • Biomimetic Materials
      • Definition and Types
      • Clinical Applications
    • Digital Dentistry
      • CAD/CAM Technology
      • 3D Printing
    • Regenerative Endodontics
      • Stem Cell Therapy
      • Tissue Engineering

Conservative Dentistry flashcards for BDS

25 of 53 cards from the Conservative Dentistry deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is Conservative Dentistry?

   The branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and restoration of teeth affected by caries, trauma, or defects, using restorative and endodontic techniques to preserve maximum sound tooth structure and restore form, function, and esthetics.

2. Define the term 'Operative Dentistry' and how it relates to Conservative Dentistry.

   Operative dentistry is the art and science of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of defects of teeth that do not require full-coverage restorations. It falls within the broader scope of Conservative Dentistry, which also includes endodontics.

3. Name the four main tissues of a tooth from outermost to innermost (crown).

   Enamel (outermost), dentin, pulp (innermost core), with cementum covering the root surface.

4. What is the approximate mineral content of enamel by weight, and what mineral is it?

   Enamel is about $96\%$ inorganic by weight, composed mainly of hydroxyapatite $\ce{Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2}$; the remainder is water and organic matrix.

5. What is the composition of dentin by weight (inorganic/organic/water)?

   Dentin is approximately $70\%$ inorganic (hydroxyapatite), $20\%$ organic (mainly type I collagen), and $10\%$ water by weight.

6. What are dentinal tubules and why are they clinically important?

   Microscopic channels running from the pulp to the dentinoenamel junction that contain odontoblastic processes and fluid. They transmit stimuli (causing sensitivity) and provide pathways for bacterial invasion and dentin permeability.

7. What is the primary etiological agent of dental caries?

   Acidogenic bacteria in dental plaque—principally Streptococcus mutans (initiation) and Lactobacillus species (progression)—that ferment dietary carbohydrates into acids.

8. State Keyes' triad (three essential factors) required for dental caries to develop.

   Host (susceptible tooth/saliva), Microorganisms (cariogenic bacteria/plaque), and Substrate (fermentable carbohydrates). A fourth factor, Time, is often added.

9. At what critical pH does enamel demineralization begin?

   Enamel demineralization begins at a critical pH of approximately $5.5$; below this the surrounding fluid becomes undersaturated with respect to hydroxyapatite.

10. Describe the caries process in terms of demineralization and remineralization.

    Caries is a dynamic imbalance where acid-driven demineralization (mineral loss when pH falls below $5.5$) exceeds remineralization (mineral deposition from saliva/fluoride when pH recovers). Net mineral loss produces a lesion.

11. How does fluoride help resist caries at the mineral level?

    Fluoride converts hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite $\ce{Ca10(PO4)6F2}$, which has a lower critical pH (~$4.5$) and is more acid-resistant; it also promotes remineralization and inhibits bacterial metabolism.

12. What is an incipient (early) carious lesion clinically called, and is it cavitated?

    A 'white spot lesion'—a chalky, opaque area of subsurface demineralization with an intact surface. It is non-cavitated and potentially reversible by remineralization.

13. List common methods for detecting dental caries.

    Visual inspection (with drying), tactile examination with an explorer, bitewing radiographs, transillumination (FOTI/DIFOTI), laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent), and electrical conductance measurement.

14. On a bitewing radiograph, how does proximal (interproximal) caries typically appear?

    As a radiolucent triangular or notched area, usually just below the contact point, with the base of the triangle toward the tooth surface and apex toward the pulp (an inverted 'V').

15. What does DIAGNOdent measure and what is the underlying principle?

    It measures laser-induced fluorescence from bacterial porphyrins/altered tooth structure. Carious tissue fluoresces more than sound tissue when illuminated with $655\,\text{nm}$ laser light, giving a numeric readout of caries severity.

16. List key strategies for the prevention of dental caries.

    Oral hygiene (plaque control by brushing/flossing), fluoride (toothpaste, varnish, water), diet modification (reduce sugar frequency), pit-and-fissure sealants, and regular professional recall/remineralization therapy.

17. What is minimally invasive dentistry (MID)?

    A philosophy emphasizing caries risk assessment, prevention, remineralization of early lesions, and conservative removal of only irreversibly damaged tissue to preserve maximum sound tooth structure.

18. Name the four principal classes of direct/indirect restorative materials used in conservative dentistry.

    Dental amalgam, resin composite, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and cast metal/ceramic (for inlays, onlays, crowns, veneers).

19. What is the composition of dental amalgam alloy powder (conventional lathe-cut)?

    Silver ($\ce{Ag}$, ~$65\%$), tin ($\ce{Sn}$, ~$29\%$), copper ($\ce{Cu}$, ~$6\%$), and sometimes zinc ($\ce{Zn}$). It is mixed with mercury ($\ce{Hg}$) during trituration.

20. Write the amalgamation reaction for a conventional (low-copper) amalgam.

    $$\ce{Ag3Sn + Hg -> Ag3Sn + Ag2Hg3 + Sn7Hg8}$$ i.e. $\gamma$ (Ag₃Sn) + Hg → $\gamma$ + $\gamma_1$ (Ag₂Hg₃) + $\gamma_2$ (Sn₇Hg₈).

21. Why are high-copper amalgams superior to conventional low-copper amalgams?

    They eliminate the weak, corrosion-prone $\gamma_2$ (Sn-Hg) phase by forming $\ce{Cu6Sn5}$ ($\eta'$ phase) instead, giving higher strength, better corrosion resistance, and less creep.

22. Define the main organic components of a resin composite (matrix and diluent).

    The resin matrix is typically Bis-GMA (bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate) or UDMA, with low-viscosity diluent monomers like TEGDMA to control viscosity.

23. What is the function of the filler particles in composite resin?

    Inorganic fillers (quartz, silica, glass) increase strength and wear resistance, reduce polymerization shrinkage and thermal expansion, and improve esthetics/radiopacity. Higher filler loading generally improves mechanical properties.

24. What is the setting/curing mechanism of light-cured composite resin?

    Free-radical addition polymerization initiated by a photoinitiator (camphorquinone) activated by blue light (~$468\,\text{nm}$), which reacts with an amine accelerator to generate radicals that polymerize the methacrylate monomers.

25. What is polymerization shrinkage in composites and its main clinical consequence?

    Volumetric contraction (typically $2\text{–}5\%$) as monomers convert to polymer. It generates stress at the tooth-restoration interface, potentially causing gap formation, microleakage, marginal staining, and postoperative sensitivity.

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