Mod 4 Explorer

List six things that explorers are used to detect.

• Supra-marginal and sub-marginal calculus

• Caries

• Decalcification

• Deposits - calculus or stains

• Abnormalities of tooth morphology

• Irregularities in cemental surfaces

• Irregularities or defects in the surface, margins, or contour of restorations.

study definition fr bacterial/gemerical, sanitization, disinfection, sterilization, etc from exam 1 dh theory

not a question to answer rn, just study these

List two types of stimuli elicited by the explorer.

Auditory, tactile

What does auditory stimilu detect?

smooth enamel - makes a quiet sound

rough cementum or calc - makes a scratchy or noisy sound

metallic restoration - makes a squeak or metallic ring sound

Describe three types of basic tactile sensations that might be experienced when exploring and give specific examples of each.

Normal sensations - , Elevations - , Depressions or grooves - tooth surfaces like decalcification or pits as well as restoration

Describe three types of basic tactile sensations that might be experienced when exploring and give specific examples of each.

tooth surfaces, restorations - gold or ceremalic deposits, decalcification - the hard mineral layers start to come out of the tooth

What does normal tactile sensation detect

• Tooth structure - Smooth enamel or root surface, (e.g. cingula, furcations)

• Restored surfaces - smooth surface of metal, softer feeling of plastic, smooth, flush margins of restoration

What does depression or grooves tactile sensation detect

• Tooth surface - Decalcified or carious lesion, Abrasion, Erosion, Pits (those resulting from improper tooth formation)

• Restorations - Deficient or open margin, Rough surface

What does Tactile Elevations detect

• The explorer will come out and up from the smooth surfaces.

• Deposits, anomalies, thick stains - supra- or subgingival

• Anomalies - such as a pronounced CEJ or enamel pearl

• Restorations - overcontoured and overhanging at the margin

What are the abnormalities of the tooth morphology

Pronounced CEJ - overlap, end to end, gap, or an enamel pearl

What are some irregularities in the cemental surfaces

Root abrasions

What are some irregularities for restorations

• overhanging - feels like an elevation, deficient margin, not enough filling material

• Open margin - gap in filling around the base of the crown

• Fracture - a gap or line in the filling or restoration

What are the causes of Depressions and grooves

caries, decalcification, abrasion, erosion

Know the definition of abrasion, erosion, and attrition - listen to audio

Abrasion Defintion

Erosion definition

Attrition Definition

Improper tooth formation

enamel hypoplasia - feels like a depression, which can cause pits or grooves

Based on tactile feeling, what can you tell

• grainy or gritty - ledge of calculus

• Bump or ledge - calculus subgingivally

• inward - deficient margin

• open margin -

• a catch feeling - overhanging

For a beginning clinician, what is the reason for using scaling and root planing while using the explorer

not having a good tactile sensativity and still learning

State when an explorer is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing by a beginning clinician

• Before - to assess the amount and distribution of calculus and cemental irregularities

• During - to assess progress

• After - to assess the completeness of the procedure

State when an explorer is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing by an experienced clinician.

after scaling

What is the rationale and justification for an experienced clinician exploring only after scaling and/or root planing rather than before, during and after.

• To reduce the time required to complete the scaling/root planing procedure.

• They can identify the need to scale and root plane by:

  • using the scaler's cutting edge in an exploratory manner to

    check suspected tooth surfaces.

  • through visual clues provided by the appearance of the marginal gingiva

Describe the general characteristics and parts of the explorer. - listen to audio

parts - tip and shank

Shank - could be straight, curved, angulated

characteristic: flexible, wire-like, circular cross-section (full circle)

Name and describe the shepherd’s hook explorer found in your instrument kit.

We have shepherd’s hook explorer - #23, we uses it for pits and fissures, supragingival smooth surfaces, restorations, feeling for transition

Design feature on Shepherd's Hook Explorer #23

• thick diameter or working end

• Large and open curve

What are the uses of the Shepherd’s Hook Explorer

To examine

- pits and fissures

- supramarginal smooth surfaces

- surfaces and margins of restorations

To detect

- primarily caries

- in limited cases, calculus

what is the adaptibilty of the shepard explorer

• Best suited for supramarginal caries and supramarginal calculus detection

• Is difficult to adapt interproximally

• Not adaptable for deep subgingival exploring due to potential for tissue trauma.

Describe the grasp needed for any explorer

Modified pen grasp, light, relaxed grasp

Describe the fulcrum needed for any explorer

Same arch, as close as possible

Describe Adaptation needed for any explorer

• Positioning the working end so that:

  • Lower shank is as parallel to the long axis of the tooth

  • Tip rests on the tooth

Describe Insertion needed for any explorer

Incline the side of working end in toward the tooth, as needed, to allow tip to be inserted into sulcus

Describe Stroke needed for any explorer

• Length: short

• Pressure: light

• Direction: vertical or oblique

  • Horizontal strokes: only supra marginally - Line angles of molars when vertical or oblique strokes cannot be achieved

What is the disadvantages of routine use of using horizontal strokes

Failure to detect calculus, trauma to the epithelial attachment

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Interpreting what you feel, what does this image show and mean?

Pig tail or cowhorn explorer design features

double-ended, mirror image

Pig tail or cowhorn explorer used to detect

calculs (sub and supra), caries, restorations

What is the pig tail or cowhorn explorer adaptability

all surfaces, all crevices up to depth of 4mm

What is the ODU 11/12 Explorer adaptability

All surfaces, all crevices up to a depth of 4mm

What is the ODU 11/12 Explorer design features

Double ended, Mirror image, Fine tipped design, Long shank multiple bends

What is the ODU 11/12 Explorer used to detect

Calculus (sub and supra), Overhangs

Gracey-type Explorer design features

• Double ended/mirror image

• Fine working end

• Greater shank length with multiple bends between point and handle

What is the Gracey-type Explorer used to detect

• To examine

  • all anterior and posterior teeth

  • all surfaces

• Calculus

What is the Gracey-type Explorer’s adaptability

Excellent in posterior for mesial, buccal, and lingual, and in anteriors.

What is the Gracey-type Explorer’s limitations

does not adapt well in pockets deeper than 4 or 5 mm on posterior distobuccal or distolingual line angles