If you've read any of our other articles on the subject, you probably already know all about what cavities are, where they come from and why they can be a big problem, but you may not know how dental professionals evaluate and classify cavities to better determine the most effective course of treatment.  

One of the most commonly used classification systems for cavities (or caries, as they’re known in the dental world), is the G.V. Black Classification system. The system is named after Dr. Greene Vardiman Black, an American dentist who is generally considered one of the founders of modern dentistry in North America.  

Dr. Black developed a classification system that recognizes six different cavity designations, broken out like this:

• Class I – These cavities occur on the biting surfaces of the back teeth

• Class II – These cavities develop between the molars and premolars and aren’t always visible without xrays

• Class III – These cavities appear on the non-cutting edges of front teeth

• Class IV – These cavities also appear on the front teeth, but are instead on the cutting edges of the teeth

• Class V – These cavities appear near the gumline on the front or back surfaces of the teeth

• Class VI – These cavities develop on the top surfaces of the teeth

In addition to the six classifications of cavities, there are also four different levels of severity:  

• Incipient (meaning just beginning to develop) – These cavities have gone less than halfway through the tooth’s enamel

• Moderate – These cavities go more than halfway through the tooth’s enamel but haven’t yet entered the dentin (dentin is the name for the main part of the tooth, located beneath the enamel)

• Advanced – These cavities penetrate the dentin, but haven’t reached the pulp chamber (the soft tissue beneath the dentin)

• Severe – These cavities have penetrated all the way to the tooth pulp

Now, the next time you’re in your dentist’s chair, you'll be able to ask them if they’ve seen any Class VI cavities recently. They’ll definitely be surprised by your insider knowledge. If you don’t have an appointment schedule yet, don’t worry – booking is easy, just use the orange Book Online button.