This study aims to quantify any cavity size change following removal of too
th-coloured restorations in vitro using unaided vision and 2.6x magnificati
on. Occlusal composite restorations were removed under simulated clinical c
onditions and changes in cavity size were measured, blind to method, using
standardized photographs. The outline of the cavity was digitized and its a
rea was used as a surrogate for cavity size. The change in cavity size was
determined for unaided vision and 2.6x magnification, with any differences
between the techniques investigated. There were significant increases in ca
vity size using both techniques and although the increase in size was less
when magnification was used, the difference was not statistically significa
nt. Cavity size changes significantly during re-restoration and the use of
magnification may be of benefit for some clinicians in reducing the size of
the change.