Daily Dental Dose

A general dentistry reference site.

Preparation Design – Bevel or No Bevel?

—

by

kendellb
in

Beveling the margin in a cavity preparation has several benefits. For example, it creates more surface area to bond to and opens up more enamel rod ends for more effective bonding. Knowing where to bevel and how much is important.

Studies suggest:

  • Beveled margins have less microleakage than non-beveled margins.
  • Beveled margins are most effective when straight rather than rounded or concave.
  • Marginal breakdown can occur with too much bevel. About 40 degrees is ideal. The bevel should be wide enough to open up the ends of the enamel rods for better bonding, but not so much to leave the composite too thin and weak to withstand forces.

References:

  • Swanson TK, Feigal RJ, Tantbirojn D, Hodges JS. Effect of adhesive systems and bevel on enamel margin integrity in primary and permanent teeth. Pediatr Dent. 2008 Mar-Apr;30(2):134-40.
  • Patanjali S, Arora A, Arya A, Grewal MS. An In Vitro Study of Effect of Beveling of Enamel on Microleakage and Shear Bond Strength of Adhesive Systems in Primary and Permanent Teeth. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019 May-Jun;12(3):205-210. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1623. PMID: 31708616; PMCID: PMC6811944.
  • Coelho-De-Souza FH, Camargo JC, Beskow T, Balestrin MD, Klein-Júnior CA, Demarco FF. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of posterior composite restorations with or without bevel: 1-year follow-up. J Appl Oral Sci. 2012 Mar-Apr;20(2):174-9. doi: 10.1590/s1678-77572012000200009. PMID: 22666833; PMCID: PMC3894759.
  • Nebot D, Fortier JP, Goldberg M, Aldin P. Collage et prismes de l’émail: le “biseau” a-t-il encore un intérêt? [Bonding and enamel prisms: is the “bevel” still significant?]. Actual Odontostomatol (Paris). 1990 Sep;44(171):379-91. French. PMID: 2239409.
  • Nebot D, Goldberg M, Fortier JP, Aldin P. Collage et prismes de l’émail. Importance de la préparation des bords des cavités pour composites postérieurs [Bonding and enamel prisms. Importance of cavity margin preparation for posterior composites]. Actual Odontostomatol (Paris). 1989 Sep;43(167):609-18. French. PMID: 2699701.