Volumetric measurements of removed tooth structure associated with various preparation designs.

The amount of tooth structure that is removed as a consequence of tooth preparation has rarely been quantified. The aim of this study was to quantify the volume of reduction of tooth structure associated with different commonly used preparation designs. Eighty extracted teeth were divided into eight groups according to the type of preparation design and tooth type. Each specimen underwent pre- and post preparation scanning using microcomputed tomography. The volume of the resultant tooth structure removed was analyzed. Significant differences in the amount of tooth structure removal were noted between types of coverage and types of teeth.