Dental Equipment Flashcards
Hand Instruments
Basic Types / Working Ends
- Probe
- Explorer
- Scaler
- Curette
Parts of Hand Instruments
- Working End
- Terminal Shank
- Shank
- Handle
Parts of Hand Instruments
Working End
Part that contacts the tooth
Parts of Hand Instruments
Terminal Shank
Shank part closest to working end
Parts of Hand Instruments
Shank
Joins working end and handle
* length and curvature determine which teeth can be accessed
Parts of Hand Instruments
Handle
Part that is grasped
Probes
Measures
Used to evaluate
* periodontal pocket depth
* gingival recession / hyperplasia
* bone loss around roots (furcation)
* tooth mobility
Probes
Function
- Tooth evaluation
- Mini ruler with blunt tip - notched or banded
Periodontal Probe
Explorer
Explorers
Functions
- Explore topography of tooth
- Assess completion of treatment - calculus removal
- Smooth transition of dental restoratives
Scalers
Uses
- Removes calculus from crown
- Only used above gumline - can damage gums and periodontal ligament
- Useful for narrow deep fissures
Scalers
Design
3 sharp cutting edges, flat faces, and a sharp tip
* need regular sharpening
Curettes
- Use below gumline
- 2 sharp edges and a round toe (doesnt damage gum tissue)
Correct Hand Position
Modified Pen Grasp
* thumb and index finger hold handle
* corner of middle finger rests on shank
* ring finger used for control
Calculus Removing Forceps
Extraction Forceps
Aids removal of tooth by rotational force
* can snap off crown
* best if spring loaded
* grasp tooth and remove from socket - 4 pt contact
Extraction Forceps
When to remove tooth
- Ligaments have been broken down by elevators
- Bone overlying roots have been drilled off
Dental Elevators
Types
- Luxator
- Elevator
Luxator
Dental Elevators
Used to cut gingival attachment and periodontal ligament
* thin working end
* scoop with points
* not for leverage (metal is too thin)
Elevators
Dental Elevator
Thicker working ends
* straight
* winged
* notched
Elevators
Correct Hand Position
Keep index finger on end
* prevents slipping
Periosteal Elevators
Required for open surgical extractions - exposes alveolar bone
* spoon-like blade with flat concave curvature
* need regular sharpening
Powered Instruments
Primary instrument for periodontal therapy and routing debridement
Powered Instruments
Advantages
- less hand and wrist fatigue
- less treatment time
- more efficient
- less traume to tissues
- water spray used to lavage tissues and break up plaque
Powered Instruments
Disadvantages
- less tactile sensitivity
- water irrigation needed
- potential aerosol contaminants
Power Scalers
Converts electric or air energy into mechanical vibration
* vibrations shatter calculus
* removes calculus and plaque
High Speed Handpieces
Always used with water (integrated) to prevent thermal damage to teeth
Low Speed Handpieces
No integrated water lines
Powered Scalers
Types
- Sonic
- Ultrasonic
- Rotary - not recommended, causes pain and tooth damage
Powered Scalers
Variations
- Power source
- Cycles per minute (faster = more power, shorter time)
- Amplitude of tip movement (smaller = less damage to tooth)
Sonic Scalers
- Compressed air
- Low power - takes longer to remove calculus
- Cooling properties
- Very noisy
Ultrasonic Scalers
- Micromotor - energy converted to vibrations, controlled via foot pedal
- Integrated water - cools, destroys bacteria and removes debris
Ultrasonic Handpieces
Types
- Magnetostrictive - metal unit picks up vibrations
- Piezoelectric - crystals in handpiece pick up vibrations
Magnetostrictive
Types
- Ferroceramic Rods
- Ferromagnetic Stack
Ferroceramic Rods
Magnetostrictive
* high power
* circular motion tip
* all sides of tip active - uneven motion
Flat Metal Strip
Magnetostrictive
* high power - less than rods
* elliptical motion tip
* bends over time, needs replacement
* all sides of tip active - uneven motion
Piezoelectric
- High power
- Linear motion tip
- Uneven distribution of energy down tip - moves further one way than other
- Place active side against tooth
Ultrasonic Tips
Replace annually or when worn/bent
* standard / broad tips
* slim tips
Standard / Broad Tips
Ultrasonic Tips
Removes medium and heavy deposits
* universal tip
* beaver tip
Slim Tips
Ultrasonic Tips
- narrower than standard
- very fragile - use with light touch
- better access to subgingival pockets and furcations
- perio vs furcation tip
Universal Tip
Ultrasonic Standard Tips
- removes plaque and small/moderate amounts of calculus
- subgingival with caution
Beaver Tail Tip
Ultrasonic Standard Tips
- Removes heavy tartar build up
- No subgingival use
Perio Probe
Ultrasonic Slim Tips
- Removes subgingival plaque and calculus
- Slips easily into periodontal space
- Does not traumatize tissues
Furcation Tips
Ultrasonic Slim Tips
- Hook to the left or right
- Gains access to furcations around crowns
- Used subgingival
Power Sources for Handpieces
Electric Powered
- low speed
- high torque
- no water irrigation
Power Sources for Handpieces
Air Powered
Compressed gas from cylinder
* room air or nitrogen
Air compressor
* room air or compressed
* counter top, wall mounted, or dental carts
Handpieces
High Speed
- Burs - cut teeth, drill bone, extractions
- Low torque - allows for fine control but less tactile senses
Handpieces
Low Speed
- Electric powered with motor in handle
- High torque
- Greater tactile sense
- Used for - prophy angle for polishing, some burs
Low Speed Handpieces
Prophy Angles
Rubber cup with prophy paste to clean/polish teeth
* reduces friction on tooth
* polishes scratches caused by scaling
* removes stains and missed plaque
