Periodontal Instrumentation

Question 1

how do periodontal instruments facilitate placement of the working end against the tooth surface

Answer 1

the shanks of most are bent in one or more places

Question 2

simple shank

Answer 2

will appear to be straight
use on anterior teeth because they are wedge shaped

Question 3

complex shank

Answer 3

has side to side bends
use on posterior teeth because of the large bulky crowns

Question 4

complex shank facial and lingual

Answer 4

front to back shank bends allow you to reach the facial and lingual surfaces of the root

Question 5

complex shank proximal surfaces

Answer 5

side to side bends allow you to reach the mesial and distal surfaces of the root

Question 6

rigid and flexible shank compared by size of deposit removed

Answer 6

rigid shank = heavy deposit
flexible shank = small to medium deposits

Question 7

flexible shank characteristics

Answer 7

enhances amount of tactile information
desirable for explorers used to detect subgingival margins
vibrations are transmitted

Question 8

functional shank

Answer 8

portion of the shank that allows the working end to be adapted to the tooth surface
begins below working end and extends to the last bend in the shank nearest the handle

Question 9

lower shank

Answer 9

portion of the functional shank that is nearest to the working end
also called terminal shank

Question 10

simple shank use

Answer 10

simple shank with short functional shank length: supragingival use on anterior teeth
simple shank with long functional shank length: subgingival use on anterior teeth

Question 11

complex shank use

Answer 11

complex shank with short shank length: supragingival use one posterior teeth
complex shank with long shank length: subgingival use on posterior teeth

Question 12

extended lower shank

Answer 12

can reach the middle and apical third of the root surface

Question 13

important shank characteristics

Answer 13

determine if shank is simple or complex
recognize shank flexibility
recognize the functional shank
recognize the lower shank
recognize an extended lower shank

Question 14

double ended instruments

Answer 14

curets and explorers
may have: unpaired working ends or paired working ends

Question 15

parts of working end

Answer 15

face, back, lateral surfaces, cutting edges, toe or tip

Question 16

cutting edge

Answer 16

a sharp edge formed where the face and lateral surfaces meet
some working ends have two cutting edges

Question 17

significance of cross section

Answer 17

determines whether the instrument can be used subgingival or supragingival

Question 18

cross section uses

Answer 18

working ends that are triangular in cross section are limited to supragingival use

working ends that are semi-circular in cross section may be used supragingivally and subgingivally

Question 19

what instruments are used for assessment vs calculus removal

Answer 19

assessment: periodontal probes and explorers
calculus removal: sickle scalers, curets, periodontal files

Question 20

sickle scaler

Answer 20

used to remove supragingival calculus deposits
triangular in cross section
pointed tip
pointed back

Question 21

curet

Answer 21

used to remove calculus deposits
semi-circular in cross section
rounded toe
rounded back

Question 22

periodontal file

Answer 22

used to crush large calculus deposits
each working end has several cutting edges

Question 23

what is instrumentation

Answer 23

a fine motor skill
involves small movements

Question 24

wrist rocking motion

Answer 24

hand, wrist, arm work as a unit to produce a rotating motion used to move the working end of an instrument
less fatigue

Question 25

uses of wrist-rocking motion

Answer 25

used for calculus removal with hand-activated instruments
allows the clinician to maintain a neutral upper body posture
keeps the workload on forearm and wrist instead of hand and fingers
the fulcrum finger supports the weight of the hand

Question 26

digital motion activation

Answer 26

moving the instrument by flexing the thumb, index and middle fingers
used whenever physical strength is not required
moves the instrument by making push-pull movements with fingers

Question 27

uses of digital motion activation

Answer 27

used primarily with ultrasonic instruments and periodontal probes and explorers
not recommended for calculus removal with hand instruments
may be used to instrument restricted areas, such as furcations of multirooted teeth

Question 28

orientation of roots

Answer 28

maxillary roots incline inward

mandibular anteriors tilt inward
mandibular premolars more vertical
mandibular molars tilt outward

Question 29

why is true angulation and correct orientation important

Answer 29

assists in correct placement of the working end on root surfaces
initial placement of the working end begins by correct orientation to the tooth surface plane