Explorers

Question 1

explorer

Answer 1

used to detect subgingival calculus deposits
conducts vibrations from working end to clinician’s fingers

Question 2

explorer uses

Answer 2

examines tooth surfaces for calculus deposits, decalcified and carious lesions, dental anomalies, anatomic features of the teeth

Question 3

parts of the explorer

Answer 3

tip: 1-2 mm of the end, side is adapted to the tooth, bent at a 90 degree angle
lower shank: section of the shank closest to tip

Question 4

shepherd hook

Answer 4

resembles the long-curved stick used by shepherds to herd sheep
supragingival use
examines the margins of restorations

Question 5

straight explorer

Answer 5

examines the margins of restorations
has a pointed tip
not recommended for subgingival use

Question 6

curved explorer

Answer 6

detection in normal sulci or shallow pockets
do not injure tissue from pointed tip

Question 7

pigtail and cow horn

Answer 7

detection in normal sulci or shallow pockets extending no deeper than the cervical third of the root
disadvantage: curved lower shank causes stretching

Question 8

orban foot advantages/disadvantages and uses

Answer 8

tip bent at 90 degrees to lower shank, straight lower shank
advantages: bent tip allows the back of the tip to be directed against soft tissue, excellent for anterior teeth
disadvantages: straight shank makes it difficult to use on the line angles, mesial and distal surfaces of posterior teeth
uses: subgingival detection on anterior roots

Question 9

11/12 advantages/disadvantages

Answer 9

tip bent at 90 degree angle to lower shank
long, complex shank design
advantages: smooth back of tip is in contact with soft tissue, complex shank for anterior and posterior teeth, can be used in shallow sulci and deep pockets
disadvantages: none

Question 10

exploratory stroke

Answer 10

used to detect calculus deposits or other tooth surface irregularities on the tooth surface
light grip allows the vibrations to be felt

Question 11

tactile sensitivity

Answer 11

the ability to detect calculus deposits by feeling vibrations transferred from the explorer tip to the instrument shank and handle

Question 12

process of exploring

Answer 12

1. explorer tip quivers as it passes over a calculus deposit on the root of the tooth
2. vibrations are transmitted from tip through the instrument shank and handle
3. clinician feels vibrations with fingers
4. clinician recognizes vibrations as calculus deposits

Question 13

subgingival exploring assessment strokes

Answer 13

should be short in length and involve many overlapping strokes

Question 14

correct technique

Answer 14

keep tip in contact with root surface
keep strokes short, 2-3 mm in length
make many strokes to assess the entire root surface

Question 15

technique errors of exploring

Answer 15

avoid a firm, tense grip
avoid applying pressure with middle finger
do not remove tip from sulcus as you make upward strokes
removing and reinserting the tip repeatedly can injure the gingival tissue

Question 16

technique for exploring

Answer 16

continue making stroke until at least halfway across the mesial surface
the other half of the mesial surface is explored from the lingual aspect

Question 17

sequence for exploring anterior teeth

Answer 17

explore surfaces toward you
explore surfaces away from you
divide teeth in half

Question 18

how do you determine the correct working end for the posterior 11/12 explorer

Answer 18

observe the relationship of the lower shank to the distal surface of the tooth
lower shank should be parallel to the distal surface
shank must be straight up and down to the tooth
posterior=parallel

Question 19

tooth surface sequence for posterior 11/12 exploring

Answer 19

start at the distofacial line and work back toward the distal surface and explore at least halfway across
now begin at the distofacial line angle and explore the facial and mesial surfaces and explore at least halfway across the mesial surface from the facial aspect
explore from the lingual

Question 20

failure to detect calculus commonly occurs where

Answer 20

near the line angles of posterior teeth
at the midlines of anterior teeth

Question 21

where are calculus deposits most easily detected by using horizontal strokes

Answer 21

at line angles and midlines

Question 22

horizontal strokes and the sequencing

Answer 22

strokes made in a perpendicular direction to the long axis of the tooth
-position tip distal to the line angle and make horizontal strokes around the line angle
-make a series of short horizontal strokes across the midline of the facial or lingual surface