Dental instruments Flashcards
To learn the dental instruments, their uses, advantages and disadvantages and contraindications
What is a flat fissure bur suitable for?
Extending a cavity along a fissure or widen a proximal box
What is a tapered fissure bur suitable for?
Designed to develop retentive grooves and pinholes
What is a round bur suitable for?
Remove caries and develop retentive holes
What is a pear shaped bur suitable for?
Create undercuts
What is a gingival margin trimmer used for?
Plane the enamel margins where access is limited and for conservation
What is a spoon excavator used for?
Removing caries and for the final removal of softened demineralised infected dentine
What are sonic or ultrasonic tips good for?
Good control of caries removal
selective control of carious dentine
minimal invasive procedures
reduced annoyance factor compared with conventional spherical bur
less pain
no drilling noise
good view
How does air abrasion remove tooth structure?
By brittle micro-fracture
delivers alumina particles intra orally
How does a pulsed erbium laser work?
Relies on high absorption bands within tooth structure in the middle and far infrared regions
laser transfers the water in hydroxyl, carbonate, phosphate components of enamel to steam leading to explosion of tooth structure and ejection of crystallites
The evaporated water creates cooling effect balancing increased temperature developed with the procedue
carious enamel and dentine are rich in water
What are the advantages of using laser for caries removal?
Reduced need for anaesthesia Low annoyance factor Creates a surface suitable for adhesive bonding of restorations Creates a macro-roughening effect Suitable for Minimal Invasive procedures
What are the disadvantages of using laser for caries removal?
No tactile sense The performer relies on the sound of tooth structure when “hit” by laser to determine the presence or absence of caries Learning curve Slower removal of tooth structure Expensive equipment
