Textbook: Classification of Perio Instruments

Question 1

These instruments are used to locate, measure, and mark pockets, as well as determine their course on individual tooth surfaces

Answer 1

Perio Probes

Question 2

These instruments are used to locate calculus deposits and caries

Answer 2

Explorers

Question 3

These three instrument types are all used to remove biofilm and calcified deposits from the crown and root of a tooth. Removal of altered cementum from teh subgingival root surface, and debridement of the soft tissue lining the pockets.

Answer 3

Scaling, Root Planing, and Curettage

Question 4

These are heavy instruments used to remove supragingival calculus

Answer 4

Sickle scalers

Question 5

These are fine instruments used for subgingival scaling, root planing, and removal of the soft tissue lining the pocket

Answer 5

Curettes

Question 6

Although their use is more limited than curettes, these instruments are used to remove tenacious subgingival calculus and altered cementum

Answer 6

Chisel
Hoe
File scalers

Question 7

How does the WHO Perio probe differ from other designs? What markings does it have for measurement?

Answer 7

It has a small round ball at the tip of the blade
It has markings at 3.5, 8.5, and 11.5 mm
Black bar is betwee 3.5-5.5 mm

Question 8

This curved, blunt perio probe is specially designed to exam furcations

Answer 8

Nabers probe

Question 9

What markings can be found on the Nabers probe?

Answer 9

3, 6, 9, 12 mm

Question 10

What is the marking scheme on the UNC 15 mm perio probe?

Answer 10

It has 15 mm marked in 1 mm increments with black bars at 5, 10, 15 mm

Question 11

What explorer was Designed at ODU and is based on the Gracey 11/12?

Answer 11

EXD 11/12

Question 12

The EXD has a small, fine tip and rounded back for what reasons?

Answer 12

Better adapted to interproximal and curved spaces

Easier insertion into deep and narrow pockets

Question 13

What does the blade look like on a sickle scaler?

Answer 13

Flat surface with two cutting edges that converge in a sharply pointed tip

Question 14

Does a sickle scaler work on a pull or push stroke?

Answer 14

Pull

Question 15

Why is a sickle scaler limited to supragingival plaque?

Answer 15

Its large size and sharp cutting edges make it too difficult to insert into pocket without damaging soft tissues

Question 16

Why are curettes the instrument of choice for removing deep subgingival calculus, root planing altered cementum, and removing the soft tissue lining the pocket

Answer 16

Because there only sharp edges are the cutting edges they do less damage to the soft tissues of the pocket

Question 17

What are the two basic types of curettes?

Answer 17

Universal and Area Specific

Question 18

Why are they called universal curettes?

Answer 18

Because they are designed to work in all areas pretty well, but are specialized for none

Question 19

How do the curettes differ in the number of cutting blades and the blade angles

Answer 19

Universal: Two cutting edges, blade is curved in one place (up). Blade is 90 degrees to shank

Area Specific: One cutting edge, blade is curved up and to the side. The blade is offset 60 degrees from shank

Question 20

What is the name of the universal curette at VCU

Answer 20

Columbia 4R/4L (SC 4R/4L)

Question 21

What is the name of the Scaler we use at VCU

Answer 21

SH5/33 #6

Question 22

What 3 Area Specific Curettes do we use at VCU

Answer 22

Gracey 1/2
Gracey 9/10
Gracey 11/12
Gracey 12/13

Question 23

What area is the 1/2 designed for?

Answer 23

Anterior Teeth

Question 24

What area is the 9/10 designed for

Answer 24

All anterior teeth, often only lingual

Posterior teeth: lingual and facial (Circumferential)

Question 25

What area is the 11/12 designed for

Answer 25

Posterior Teeth: Mesial, Facial, and Lingual Surfaces

Question 26

What are is the 12/13 designed for

Answer 26

Posterior Teeth: Distal

Question 27

How do after five curettes differ from the standard gracey curettes?

Answer 27

The terminal shank is 3 mm longer allowing for easier access to pockets deeper than 5 mm
They also have thinner blades

Question 28

How do mini five curettes differ from after five and standard curettes

Answer 28

The blade is 1/2 the length for easier access in deep, narrow pockets, furcations, etc.

Question 29

What teeth are sickle scalers (SH5/33) especially good for?

Answer 29

Mandibular anterior teeth

Question 30

How is the universal curette (Columbia) used?

Answer 30

It is leaned to the mesial or distal surface to establish an angle between 45 and 90 degrees

Question 31

What teeth can the universal curette be used on?

Answer 31

Any posterior tooth, on the mesial and distal surfaces

Question 32

How is the shank aligned with the tooth when using an area specific curette?

Answer 32

Shank should be parallel with long axis

Question 33

What is the optimal angle between cutting edge and tooth

Answer 33

about 70-80 degrees

Question 34

What are the first three steps to instrumentation

Answer 34

1. Pick the correct end
2. Find good finger rests
3. May insert at angle and then activate

Question 35

What are the three basic stroke directions

Answer 35

1. Vertical
2. Oblique
3. Horizontal

Question 36

What is the scaling stroke?

Answer 36

Short, powerful stroke to remove calculus

Question 37

What is the root-planing stroke?

Answer 37

Moderate to light pull stroke used for final smoothing and planing

Question 38

What instruments should be used for furca, deep pockets, narrow access, etc?

Answer 38

After five

mini five