Periodontal Explorers

Question 1

What is the end of a periodontal explorer?

Answer 1

-thin, wiry working-end

Question 2

What is special about the handle of a periodontal explorer?

Answer 2

hollow handle to allow for tactile sensitivity

Question 3

Why does the shank of the periodontal explorer bend and curve?

Answer 3

to adapt to subgingival root surfaces

Question 4

Why do we use the periodontal explorer?

Answer 4

• Used to detect subgingival calculus and tooth irregularities
• Allows clinician to assess the amount of calculus prior to removal
• Used to evaluate root surfaces following calculus removal

Question 5

What is the tactile sensitivity for the periodontal explorer?

Answer 5

Clinician’s ability to feel vibration transmitted from the instrument working-end with their fingers as they rest on the shank and handle

Question 6

How do you activate the periodontal explorer?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Determine correct working-end of the periodontal explorer by
instrument ‘curving’ toward _______ of tooth

Answer 7

mesial

• If tip of instrument bows toward you, you have the incorrect end

Question 8

Once correct end of the periodontal explorer is determined in the posterior for the mesial how do you go to the distal?

Answer 8

‘offset’ instrument toward distal surface

Question 9

Using a periodontal explorer in the posterior do you flip the instrument or offset between mesial and distal?

Answer 9

posterior offset

Question 10

Terminal shank of the periodontal explorer should be ________ to long axis of the tooth in the posterior region

Answer 10

parallel

Question 11

Correct or incorrect use of the periodontal explorer in the posterior?

Answer 11

Correct!

Question 12

Correct or incorrect use of the periodontal explorer in the posterior?

Answer 12

Incorrect

Question 13

Using the periodontal explorer for the anterior teeth toward and away from you go to…

Answer 13

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

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

Question 14

Using a periodontal explorer in the anterior do you flip the instrument or offset between mesial and distal?

Answer 14

flip the instrument

Question 15

What should be parallel to the long axis when using the periodontal explorer in the anterior?

Answer 15

handle is parallel

Question 16

Correct or incorrect use of the periodontal explorer in the anterior?

Answer 16

Correct

Question 17

Correct or incorrect use of the periodontal explorer in the anterior?

Answer 17

Incorrect

Question 18

How do you use a periodontal explorer in the posterior teeth?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

How do you use a periodontal explorer in the anterior teeth?

Answer 19

• Instrument is flipped to do opposite tooth surface
• Handle should be parallel with long axis
• Terminal shank should go across the crown surface when adapted correctly

Question 20

What does the terminal shank of the periodontal explorer look like in posterior versus anterior?

Answer 20

• posterior = parallel
• anterior = go across the crown