Dental Instruments (Lab #1)

Mirror

Straight Sickle

Curved Sickle

Explorer

Probe (1mm & 3mm)

Hoe

Taylor Scaler

Gracey Curette

What is a scaler, the 3 types and its use?

→ instrument w 2 cutting edges which come to a sharp tip

1. Straight Sickle

2. Curved Sickle

3. Taylor Scaler

→ used supragingivally (bc of sharp tip) on the crown of the tooth

What is a curet, the 3 types and its use?

→ bends back towards instrument coming to a rounded/blunt toe

1. Universal (2 cutting edges w a 90 degree facial surface)

2. Gracey (1 cutting edge w a 60-70 degree facial surface)

→ used both subgingivally and supragingivally as well as for root planning

What is a probe?

→ dental ruler measuring the sulcus depth and attachment loss

• Dogs: 0-3 normal

• Cats: 0-1 normal

TEST QUESTION: T of F can a probe be used to measure anything in the oral cavity?

True

What is an explorer?

→ ids abnormalities in enamel

→ lets you know if any calculus was missed

Tip: looks like a record player needle, you can feel vibrations (= not clean)

What is a hoe?

→ used for supra gingival scaling ONLY

→ removes gross calculus

Note: common to a probe as it also removes calculus but are NOT commonly used anymore

What are the 3 things that make up an instrument?

1. Handle

2. Working End

3. Shank (attaches working end to the handle)

What does it mean to fulcrum?

→ “ancor” your pinky and ring finger on a tooth (ideally in the same quadrant)

→ avoids slippage that could cause damage to the oral cavity

How should instruments be held?

→ Held using a modified pen grasp

→ Rolled 180 degrees clockwise and counterclockwise

TEST QUESTION: T or F All strokes should be towards the gingiva

FALSE All stroked should be AWAY from the gingiva (gum line)

How do you care for normal use of instruments?

→ sharpen if needed and use gauze square to clean off end of instrument

What is regular and ultrasonic cleaning?

→ scrub instrument w Chlorhexidine solution (kills oral bacteria) and toothbrush

→ use ultrasonic cleaner the same as for sx instruments but NO milk (bc no hinges to lube)

Why do we sharpen instruments after cleaning?

→ to guarantees the sharpening stones will not become contaminated

→ remove oil and shavings after sharpening

What are the steps for cleaning instruments?

1. sharpen if needed

2. wipe off w gauze square

3. scrub w chlorhexidine solution and toothbrush

4. place in ultrasonic cleaner

5. sharpen

6. autolave

What are the 5 parts of a blade?

1. Tip

2. Back

3. Lateral Face

4. Face

5. Cutting Edge

Can you do a modified pen grasp?

What is a pull stroke directed coronal (towards the crown), w the cutting edge placed just below the calculus ledge called?

Vertical pull stroke

What is a pull stroke directed at a 45° angle to the long axis of the tooth called?

Oblique stroke

What is a pull stroke directed at a 90° angle to the long axis of the tooth; mainly used w the curet called?

Horizontal stroke

What questions should you ask yourself when wondering if an instrument needs to be sharpened?

1. Is this instrument “grabbing” correctly?

2. Do I have to apply more pressure than I should?

3. Is my patient reacting more than they should to this procedure?

4. Is this taking longer than it should?

TEST QUESTION: T or F light reflects from flat surfaces therefore sharp tool should not reflect light

TRUE

What is the use of sharpening stones?

→ to restore the cutting surface without changing the original shape

What are the key procedural differences between stationary stone/moving instrument and stationary instrument/moving stone sharpening?

→ Stationary stone / moving instrument:

• Instrument moves heel → toe across the stone

• Use a 100–110° angle between facial surface and stone

• Arc motion for curved instruments; straight motion for straight instruments

• 40–45° angle for maintaining a rounded curet toe

→ Stationary instrument / moving stone:

• Stone moves along the stationary instrument’s cutting edge

• The stone is guided from heel → toe of the working end

• The instrument’s cutting-edge angle is maintained while the stone moves along it

Note: teacher prefers moving instrument but in other class the answer for the best method of sharpening a stationary instrument moving stone

What is the purpose of an acrylic test stick?

→ To evaluate the sharpness of an instrument by testing whether the cutting edge produces a firm “bite” on the acrylic stick. The entire cutting surface should be tested

How long should you polish a tooth for?

MAX is 5 seconds bc friction builds up creating heat (don't wanna cook em) so polish each tooth 5 sec max, move on to let cool down then repeat