Instrument Grasp and Mirror PE

What is the placement of the index and thumb in the modified pen grasp?

On the instrument handle- resting opposite each other near the junction of the handle and shank with little space between them

What is the function of the index and thumb in the modified pen grasp?

Hold the instrument

What is the placement of the middle finger in the modified pen grasp?

Rests lightly against shank- one side of the fingertip is on the shank, and the other rests against the ring finger

What is the function of the middle finger in the modified pen grasp?

Helps to guide the working end and feels vibrations transmitted from the working-end to the shank

What is the placement of the ring finger in the modified pen grasp?

On an oral structure (i.e., a tooth), it advances ahead of other fingers in the grasp.

What is the function of the ring finger in the modified pen grasp?

Stabilizes and supports the hand for control and strength

What is the placement of the little finger in the modified pen grasp?

Near the ring finger

What is the function of the little finger in the modified pen grasp?

Has no function

What are the three parts of the periodontal instrument (i.e., a mirror)?

The handle, shank and working end

What are the four functions of the dental mirror?

Indirect vision, retraction, indirect illumination, and transillumination

What is indirect vision?

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

What is retraction?

The use of the mirror (or finger) to hold the patient's cheek, lip, or tongue so that the clinician can view tooth surfaces that are otherwise hidden

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

How do you perform transillumination?

Position the light directly over the oral cavity, position yourself at 12 o'clock, hold the mirror behind the central incisors so that it is parallel to their lingual surfaces, and look directly at the teeth (not in reflection)

Why would you palm the mouth mirror?

This technique can be used when retracting the lip with a finger, and it is more efficient as it avoids putting down the mirror and picking it back up again

Should retraction of the lip be performed with a mirror or the index finger?

The index finger (of the non-dominant hand) as this is more comfortable for the patient

What are the techniques for defogging the mouth mirror?

Warm the reflecting surface against the patient's buccal mucosa; ask the patient to breathe through their nose; use a defogging solution or gauze soaked in mouthwash to wipe the reflecting surface

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary anteriors, lingual aspect: surfaces towards?

Sit at 8-9 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on patient's right cheek; adjust mirror to view the lingual surfaces in the reflection

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary anteriors, lingual aspect: surfaces away?

Sit at 11-1 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on patient's left cheek; hold mirror head closer to tongue and adjust so that surfaces away are easily seen

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary right posterior sextant, facial aspect?

Sit at 9 o'clock position with mirror head between dental arches and fulcrum on right side of patient's face; retract the cheek and swivel mirror head to view distal surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary left posterior sextant, lingual aspect?

Sit at 9 o'clock position with mirror in left hand and fulcrum by right corner of mouth; position mirror head closer to tongue and swivel to view distal surfaces of teeth

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary left posterior sextant, facial aspect?

Sit at 10-11 o'clock with mirror head between dental arches and fulcrum on left side of patient's face; retract the cheek and swivel mirror to view distal surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the maxillary right posterior sextant, lingual aspect?

Sit at 10-11 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum by left corner of mouth; position mirror head closer to tongue and swivel mirror head to view the lingual and mesial surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the mandibular anteriors, lingual aspect: surfaces towards?

Sit at 8-9 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum by right corner of mouth; use mirror to push back tongue and view lingual surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the mandibular anteriors, lingual aspect: surfaces away?

Sit at 11-1 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum by left corner of mouth; use mirror to push back tongue and view lingual surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the mandibular right posterior sextant, facial aspect?

Sit at 9 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on right side of patient's face; retract cheek with mirror and use mirror to see the distal surfaces of teeth

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view the mandibular left posterior sextant, lingual aspect?

Sit at 9 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on right side of patient's face; use mirror to move tongue toward midline of mouth and use indirect vision to see distal and lingual surfaces

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view mandibular left posterior sextant, facial aspect?

Sit at 10-11 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on left side of patient's face; use mirror to retract left cheek and view distal, facial and mesial surfaces in the reflecting surface

Where would you position yourself and the mirror to view mandibular right posterior sextant, lingual aspect?

Sit at 10-11 o'clock with mirror in left hand and fulcrum on left side of patient's face; use mirror to push back tongue and view distal, lingual, and mesial surfaces in the reflecting surface.