Periodontal Explorers

Question 1

Periodontal Explorer Use
(3)

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

**IF YOU CANNOT DETECT CALCULUS,
YOU

Answer 2

CANNOT REMOVE IT**

Question 3

Tactile Sensitivity
(3)

Answer 3

• 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 4

Instrument
Activation
(3)

Answer 4

• 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 5

Correct Working-end

Answer 5

Determine correct working-end by
instrument ‘curving’ toward mesial of tooth
If tip of instrument bows toward you, you
have the incorrect end
Once correct end is determined, ‘offset’
instrument toward distal surface
DO NOT FLIP THE INSTRUMENT

Question 6

skipped
Explorer Activation

Answer 6

Walk short, overlapping strokes all the way into
interproximal
Terminal shank should be parallel to long axis of the tooth
Readapt instrument so it is curved toward the mesial
Begin at distal line angle *be sure to overlap
Use short walking strokes
Continue across facial (or lingual) surface using short, overlapping strokes
Explore all the way into interproximal space
Terminal shank should be parallel to the long axis of the tooth

Question 7

Exploring
Anterior Sextants

Answer 7

Right-handed:
Surfaces toward: 8:00
Surfaces away: 11:00

Left-handed:
Surfaces toward: 4:00
Surfaces away: 1:00

Question 8

Anteriors-
continued
(6)

Answer 8

Begin at midline
Handle is parallel to long axis
Short overlapping strokes into
interproximal
Explore all the way into interproximal
Handle will be parallel with long axis
FLIP instrument and do opposite surface

Question 9

Periodontal Explorers Summary
Posterior teeth:

Answer 9

Instrument is NOT flipped, it is ‘offset’ to do the distal surfaces
Terminal shank should be parallel with long axis

Question 10

Periodontal Explorers Summary
Anterior teeth:

Answer 10

Instrument is flipped to do opposite tooth surface
Handle should be parallel with long axis