DANB CRFDA cheat sheet

Restorative Functions - Unverified

• DANB's Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA) exam covers chairside restorative procedures that a state may delegate to a qualified assistant; scope is governed by state dental practice law, so verify permitted duties with the state board.

• Tooth nomenclature: universal numbering uses 1–32 (1 = maxillary right third molar, 32 = mandibular right third molar); FDI/ISO uses two digits, first digit quadrant (1 upper right, 2 upper left, 3 lower left, 4 lower right), second digit 1–8 from midline posterior.

• Cavity classification (G.V. Black): Class I pits/fissures of posterior teeth and lingual of anteriors; Class II proximal surfaces of posteriors; Class III proximal of anteriors without incisal edge; Class IV proximal of anteriors including incisal edge; Class V gingival third of any tooth; Class VI incisal tip/cusp tip.

• Matrix systems: a Tofflemire retainer with a metal band is used for Class II amalgam or composite; a sectional matrix with wedge and ring is preferred for Class II composite to restore proximal contour and contact; a celluloid strip is used for anterior Class III/IV composite.

• Isolation: rubber dam placement requires punch, clamp, frame, and napkin; clamp selection depends on tooth type (e.g., winged clamps for posteriors, butterfly clamps for anteriors); dental floss ligature secures the dam around a clamped tooth.

• Amalgam trituration: over-trituration yields a wet, sticky mix that is difficult to condense and may be left porous; under-trituration yields a dry, crumbly mix; a properly triturated mix is pliable and holds together.

• Composite shade selection is made under neutral daylight or corrected lighting before tooth dehydration; enamel shades are more translucent than dentin shades, and dentin shades have greater chroma and opacity.

• Etching and bonding: phosphoric acid gel (typically 30–40%) is applied to enamel, rinsed, and dried to a frosty white appearance; dentin should remain moist for total-etch systems but dry for self-etch systems; do not touch the etched surface with gloves.

• Finishing and polishing: use fine/green stones and carbide finishing burs for anatomy, then impregnated rubber points and polishing paste; for amalgam, polish after 24 hours to avoid mercury release and marginal damage.