G.V. Black Caries Classification (Class I To VI)
G.V. Black Caries Classification (Class I To VI)
G.V. Black Caries Classification (Class I To VI)
• Class I: Cavity in pits or fissures on the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars; facial
and lingual surfaces of molars; lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors (Class I corresponds to
surfaces of a posterior tooth you can clinically see—occlusal/lingual/buccal surfaces.
Therefore, the interproximal surfaces are not classified as Class I)
• Class II: Cavity on proximal surfaces of premolars and molars (Class II corresponds to
surfaces of a posterior tooth you cannot see clinically)
• Class III: Cavity on proximal surfaces of incisors and canines that do not involve the incisal
angle (Class III corresponds to surfaces of an anterior tooth you cannot see clinically)
• Class IV: Cavity on proximal surfaces of incisors or canines that involve the incisal angle
(Class IV lesion is the larger version of Class III that covers the incisal angle)
• Class V: Cavity on the cervical third of the facial or lingual surfaces of any tooth (Think of
the neck of the tooth)
• Class VI: Cavity on incisal edges of anterior teeth and cusp tips of posterior teeth (Class VI
corresponds to the very top surface of a tooth)
Tips for memorization: Imagine a line halfway through the thickness of enamel, and a line
halfway through the thickness of dentin. Those lines are the “STOP” points that determine the
severity of the carious lesions.
• Incipient: Lesion that extends less than halfway through the enamel
• Moderate: Lesion that extends more than halfway through enamel but does not involve the
dentino-enamel junction (DEJ)
• Advanced: Lesion that extends to or through the DEJ but does not extend more than half the
distance to the pulp
• Severe: Lesion that extends through enamel, through dentin, and more than half the distance
to the pulp