DHYG 157 Use of the Dental Mouth Mirror; Finger Rests in the Anterior Sextants

What is the dental mirror used for?

To view to surfaces that cannot be seen during direct vision

What are the types of mirror surfaces?

Front surface

- reflecting surface on front of glass

- clear mirror image, no distortion

-most commonly used

Concave

- reflecting surface on front of mirror lens

- magnified image

- distorts image (because magnified)

Plane (flat surface)

- reflecting surface on back of mirror lens

- double image (ghost image)

During periodontal instrumentation the clinician grasps a dental mirror in his/her ______________?

Non-dominant hand

What is an extraoral fulcrum?

A stabilizing point outside the patient's mouth

(usually on patients chin or cheek)

What is an intraoral fulcrum?

A stabilizing point on a tooth surface.

Which fulcrum is optional with the dental mirror?

Intraoral fulcrum

What are the functions of the dental mirror?

1. indirect vision

2. retraction

3. indirect illumination

4. transillumination

What is indirect vision?

The use of a dental mirror to view a tooth surface or intraoral structure that cannot be seen directly

What is retraction?

The use of the mirror head to hold the patients cheek, lip, or tongue so that the clinician can view tooth surfaces that are otherwise hidden from view.

What is indirect illumination?

the use of the mirror to reflect light onto a tooth surface in a dark area of the mouth

What is transillumination?

The technique of directing light off of the mirror surface and through the anterior teeth

What is an important, yet underutilized instrument within dental practice?

The mouth mirror

MASTERY OF DIRECT VISION IS A MUST

How can you defog the mouth mirror?

1. ask patient to breathe through nose

2. rub mirror against buccal mucosa

3. a commercial defogging agent (goes on mirror)

4. rinse under warm water

5. wipe with gauze square moistened with mouthwash

What is the fulcrum?

A finger rest used to stabilize the clinicians hand during periodontal instrumentation.

What does the fulcrum improve?

improves the precision of instrumentation strokes, prevents sudden movements that could injure patient, reduces muscle load to clinician's hand.

What are the functions of the fulcrum?

-support beam for hand

- enables hand & instrument to move as unit

- allows precise control of stroke pressure and length during instrumentation

What are the types of fulcrums?

1. intraoral fulcrum

2. extraoral fulcrum

3. advanced fulcrum

What is the sequence for establishing a finger rest?

Me

My patient

My equipment

My nondominant hand

My dominant hand

My finger rest