Explorers Flashcards
(30 cards)
How do you adapt an explorer to a tooth surface?
- Tip to Tooth
- Pivoting on the Fulcrum
- Rotating (fingers)
How do you select the correct end of a double ended explorer?
Place terminal shank parallel to the tooth, if the handle is going outside of the mouth it is correct.
What is the assessment stroke used with in an explorer?
- Wrist Motions (pecking or side to side)
- Overlapping strokes (vertical or oblique)
- Lead w/tip
- Smooth/Continuous Strokes remaining in the sulcus
- Explore the entire depth of the pocket
What is the adaption pattern for exploring teeth on both arches?
Posterior to Anterior
What is the adaptation pattern per maxillary tooth?
Midline to distal
What is he adaptation pattern per mandibular tooth?
Toward surfaces to Away surfaces
What is the adaptation pattern for posterior lingual and facial surfaces?
Distal line angle to distal
Distal line angle to mesial
How do you detect supracalculus?
Direct observation and AIRMIR
How much pressure do you use with an explorer?
Light and Firm
What part of the explorer is adapted to the tooth surface?
The working end; about 1-2mm of the tip of the instrument
How many strokes are needed to explore a root surface?
Depends on the pocket depth and area of tooth surface.
What is the purpose of exploring tooth surfaces?
To find calculus, caries, and in general irregularities.
What are the different CEJ relationships?
HINT: OMG
Overlap (60%)
Meet (30%)
Gap (10%)
What irregularities can we find with an explorer that is considered an elevation?
Deposits = (calculus and stain)
Enamel pearls = round excess enamel usually seen in furcation of maxillary molars.
Unusual CEJ = overhanging restorations
What irregularities can we find with an explorer that are considered to be depressions?
Decalcifications Caries Abrasion erosion pits Root anomalies Defective Margins of Restoration
True or False; it is ok to poke decalcifications (white spots)
False, you should never poke decalcification spots
What typically causes abrasion erosion pits?
Tooth Brush
What common types of calculus formations exist?
Spicules-class 1 Ledge-class 2 Ring-class 3 Veneer - smooth
Why do we not want to insert an explorer into a suspicious carious lesion?
May result in the rupture of the surface layer covering early lesions causing more damage.
What does tactile sensitivity mean?
Sense of Touch
What is tactile sensitivity?
The ability to distinguish types of degrees of roughness and smoothness on the tooth surface.
On what finger should you feel vibrations?
Middle finger
Where is most calculus left behind?
The CEJ
What are explorers used for?
Detection or assessment to find calculus, furcations and decay on tooth and root surfaces. Confirm direct observations.
