Instruments

Question 1

what are the 2 types of scalers

Answer 1

hand
powered

Question 2

what are the 2 types of powered scalers

Answer 2

sonic
ultrasonic (piezon)

Question 3

what are mechanical scalers used for

Answer 3

removal of gross and fine supra and subgingival plaque and calculus deposits

Question 4

what scaler do you use for supragingival instrumenation

Answer 4

sickle scaler (red)

Question 5

what are instruments called used for subgingival instrumentation

Answer 5

curettes

Question 6

what are the 2 types of curettes

Answer 6

universal
gracey (area specific)

Question 7

what is the name of the universal curette

Answer 7

langer (yellow)

• can also be used supragingivally

Question 8

what are the 3 gracey scalers, what colour are they and where are they used

Answer 8

1/2, grey, anterior teeth
11/12, orange, mesial of premolars and molars
13/14, blue, distal of premolars and molars

Question 9

what is the aim of non-surgical periodontal tx

Answer 9

Reduce the microbial load

Question 10

what is RSD

Answer 10

disruption and removal of microbial biofilms from the root surfaces

Question 11

what is scaling

Answer 11

instrumentation for removal of supra and subgingival
calculus

Question 12

what are the advantages and disadvantages of hand instruments

Answer 12

advantage
- good tactile sensation
- no aerosols
- no pt discomfort due to water spray

disadvantage
- time consuming
- requires regular sharpening
- higher chance of injury due to fatigue

Question 13

what are the advantages and disadvantages of powered instruments

Answer 13

advantage
- less time consuming
- requires no maintenance
- lesser chance of injury due to fatigue

disadvantage
- limited tactile sensation
- generates aerosols
- pt discomfort due to water spray

Question 14

what are the 3 parts of a hand instrument

Answer 14

handle
shank
blade/working end

Question 15

what is the difference between a scaler and curette

Answer 15

scaler
- pointy tip
- two cutting edges

curette
- rounded tip
- two (u), one (g)

Question 16

what are the 4 principles of instrumentation

Answer 16

1. accessibility, visibility, illumination and retraction
2. clean field and sharp instruments
3. instrument grasp and finger rest
4. instrument adaptation, insertion, angulation and activation

Question 17

6 factors affecting instrumentation

Answer 17

1. operator experience and skills
2. instruments used
3. morphology of teeth
4. pt cooperation
5. gingival position and tone
   pocket depth
6. amount/type of calculus

Question 18

what are the features of an ultrasonic scaler

Answer 18

• 25-30kHz per second
• 30000 strokes per second
• magnetostrictive (powered by magnetic energy)
• eplitical (in a circle)
• piezoelectric (powered by quartz crustal electrical energy)
• electric current flows over the dict allowing the tip to vibrate in a linear pattern
• no magnetic field created
• less heat produced, but water still required for cooling

Question 19

what are the features of a sonic scaler

Answer 19

• 16-20kHz
• water at the working tip which cools the tip and flushes away debris from site

Question 20

what is the mode of action for all ultrasonic scalers

Answer 20

mechanical abrading action
cavitation effect
acoustic streaming

Question 21

how does the mechanical abrading action work

Answer 21

the repetitive action of the tip abrades the calculus deposits on the teeth

Question 22

what is the cavitation effect

Answer 22

formation of tiny bubbles in the fluid, these can implode and produce shock waves that destroy bacteria and tear the bacterial cell walls

Question 23

what is acoustic streaming

Answer 23

vigorous movement of water around the tips, swirling effect within the periodontal pocket by a continuous stream of fluid over the tip