instruments

Question 1

Answer 1

sickle scalers

Question 2

Anterior Sickle Scaler

Answer 2

Used in the anterior region to remove supragingival
calculus deposits

Question 3

Anterior Sickle Scaler instruments design

Answer 3

◦ Straight, rigid shank
◦ 2 cutting edges on each working-end
◦ Pointed tip (hence “sickle”)

Question 4

adapting the ant sickle scaler

Answer 4

When adapting, the shank and handle should be parallel to the long axis of the tooth

Question 5

sickle scaler angulation

Answer 5

Proper angulation (cutting edge against the tooth) for anterior sickle scaler = 45-90°
Over angulation (>90 °) will result in burnished calculus and/or tissue laceration
Under angulation (<45 °) will result in burnished calculus
NOTE: proper angulation will occur naturally if the shank/handle of the scaler is kept parallel to the long axis
of the tooth

Question 6

Operator Positioning with ant sickle scaler

Answer 6

Surfaces toward you (max/mand arch):
Right-hand: 8:00
Surfaces away from you:
Right-hand: 11-12:00

Question 7

Posterior Sickle Scaler

Answer 7

Same as the anterior scaler, but with a bend in the shank (complex design) for access in the posterior region
This instrument is meant to scale interproximal regions of posterior teeth, supra- and subgingival (slightly below the tissue) if spurs of interproximal calculus are present
Not designed for scaling deep periodontal pockets

Question 8

adaptation and usage of post sickle scaler

Answer 8

Terminal shank is parallel to
the long axis of the tooth
Insert at line angle and scale
into the interproximal

Question 9

Answer 9

perio explorer

Question 10

Periodontal Explorer Use

Answer 10

• Used to detect subgingival calculus and tooth irregularities
• Allows clinician to assess the amount of calculus prior to removal (rough, clickable, burnished, spicules, etc.)
• Used to evaluate root surfaces following calculus removal
  IF YOU CANNOT DETECT CALCULUS, YOU CANNOT REMOVE IT

Question 11

Tactile Sensitivity

Answer 11

• Clinician’s ability to feel vibration transmitted from the instrument working-end with their fingers as they rest on the shank and handle
• This skill takes time to develop and practice
• Important skill needed to complete nonsurgical periodontal therapy

Question 12

Instrument Activation of perio explorer

Answer 12

• Grasp explorer using modified pen grasp
• Light grasp to increase ability to feel vibrations
• Roll instrument between thumb and forefinger to keep tip adapted

Question 13

can we offset with perio explorer? where?

Answer 13

yes, mesial can be offset to distal in posterior

Question 14

terminal shank of perio explorer should be?

Answer 14

parallel to tooth

Question 15

Exploring Anterior Sextants
Right-handed positions

Answer 15

Surfaces toward: 8:00
Surfaces away: 11:00

Question 16

doing opposite surfaces in the anterior with perio explorer

Answer 16

instrument is flipped

Question 17

Instrument Design universal currett

Answer 17

2 cutting edges
Rounded toe
Face that is parallel to the floor
when the terminal shank is held
at 12 o’clock position

Question 18

Answer 18

currett

Question 19

Where can the universal curettes be used?

Answer 19

• ALL surfaces of ALL teeth! (supra- and subgingivally)
• Shank length helps identify instruments that are better for shallow vs. deeper periodontal pockets

Question 20

Answer 20

all universal currettes

Question 21

Determining the Correct Working-End with universal curettes in posterior

Answer 21

• Toe of the instrument curves toward the mesial aspect of the tooth you are working on (left image)
• If the toe curves AWAY from the mesial aspect, the working-end is incorrect (right image)

Question 22

terminal shank of universal currettes

Answer 22

When the terminal shank is parallel
to the long-axis of the tooth you can
be sure the correct working-end is
being utilized

Question 23

Instrument Stroke of universal curette

Answer 23

The ideal stroke for using a universal
curette across a tooth surface (especially direct buccal/lingual) is oblique and overlapping

Question 24

Universal Curettes in Anterior Teeth

Answer 24

• Begin at midline
• Scale into interproximal space
• Align HANDLE so it is parallel to
  the long-axis of the tooth
• FLIP the instrument when scaling
  the other half of the tooth

Question 25

positions for universal curettes

Answer 25

Surfaces Toward:
R.H clinician: 8:00
Surfaces Away:
R.H clinician: 12:00

Question 26

Instrument Design of area specific curettes

Answer 26

ONE cutting edge; lower portion of the working-end
Rounded toe
Straight & complex shanks
Used in deep periodontal pockets due to their ability to adapt to root anatomy

Question 27

Answer 27

Question 28

gracey 1/2 use area

Answer 28

anteriors all surfaces

Question 29

gracey 11/12 area use

Answer 29

mesial, buccal, lingual aspects of posterior teeth

Question 30

gracey 13/14 area use

Answer 30

posterior distal

Question 31

gracey 1/2 adaption

Answer 31

• Si m p le s h a nk ( h an dle s h o u l d b e p a ra l lel to l o n g a xi s o f th e to o th w h e n s ca l i n g)
• Fl i p i n s tr um en t i n o r d e r to cove r to wa r d a n d a way s u r f a ces

Question 32

Gracey 13/14 identification of correct working end

Answer 32

Even though this instrument is used
for the DISTAL aspect of a posterior
tooth, use the “mesial curve” trick to
help identify the correct working -end
then offset instrument to distal line angle