Explorers

Question 0

How do you adapt an explorer to a tooth surface?

Answer 0

1. Tip to Tooth
2. Pivoting on the Fulcrum
3. Rotating (fingers)

Question 1

How do you select the correct end of a double ended explorer?

Answer 1

Place terminal shank parallel to the tooth, if the handle is going outside of the mouth it is correct.

Question 2

What is the assessment stroke used with in an explorer?

Answer 2

1. Wrist Motions (pecking or side to side)
2. Overlapping strokes (vertical or oblique)
3. Lead w/tip
4. Smooth/Continuous Strokes remaining in the sulcus
5. Explore the entire depth of the pocket

Question 3

What is the adaption pattern for exploring teeth on both arches?

Answer 3

Posterior to Anterior

Question 4

What is the adaptation pattern per maxillary tooth?

Answer 4

Midline to distal

Question 5

What is he adaptation pattern per mandibular tooth?

Answer 5

Toward surfaces to Away surfaces

Question 6

What is the adaptation pattern for posterior lingual and facial surfaces?

Answer 6

Distal line angle to distal

Distal line angle to mesial

Question 7

How do you detect supracalculus?

Answer 7

Direct observation and AIRMIR

Question 8

How much pressure do you use with an explorer?

Answer 8

Light and Firm

Question 9

What part of the explorer is adapted to the tooth surface?

Answer 9

The working end; about 1-2mm of the tip of the instrument

Question 10

How many strokes are needed to explore a root surface?

Answer 10

Depends on the pocket depth and area of tooth surface.

Question 11

What is the purpose of exploring tooth surfaces?

Answer 11

To find calculus, caries, and in general irregularities.

Question 12

What are the different CEJ relationships?

HINT: OMG

Answer 12

Overlap (60%)
Meet (30%)
Gap (10%)

Question 13

What irregularities can we find with an explorer that is considered an elevation?

Answer 13

Deposits = (calculus and stain)

Enamel pearls = round excess enamel usually seen in furcation of maxillary molars.

Unusual CEJ = overhanging restorations

Question 14

What irregularities can we find with an explorer that are considered to be depressions?

Answer 14

Decalcifications
Caries
Abrasion erosion pits
Root anomalies
Defective Margins of Restoration

Question 15

True or False; it is ok to poke decalcifications (white spots)

Answer 15

False, you should never poke decalcification spots

Question 16

What typically causes abrasion erosion pits?

Answer 16

Tooth Brush

Question 17

What common types of calculus formations exist?

Answer 17

Spicules-class 1
Ledge-class 2
Ring-class 3
Veneer - smooth

Question 18

Why do we not want to insert an explorer into a suspicious carious lesion?

Answer 18

May result in the rupture of the surface layer covering early lesions causing more damage.

Question 19

What does tactile sensitivity mean?

Answer 19

Sense of Touch

Question 20

What is tactile sensitivity?

Answer 20

The ability to distinguish types of degrees of roughness and smoothness on the tooth surface.

Question 21

On what finger should you feel vibrations?

Answer 21

Middle finger

Question 22

Where is most calculus left behind?

Answer 22

The CEJ

Question 23

What are explorers used for?

Answer 23

Detection or assessment to find calculus, furcations and decay on tooth and root surfaces. Confirm direct observations.

Question 24

What is the extreme end of an explorer called?

Answer 24

Sharp point

Question 25

What is the working end of an explorer called?

Answer 25

The tip

Question 26

Which explorer do you use to detect calculus?

Answer 26

Shepard’s Hook

Question 27

Calculus has to have a high content of what to show up on an x-ray?

Answer 27

Calcium

Question 28

What is the col?

Answer 28

The depression above the contact area.

Question 29

What is iatrogenic dentistry?

Answer 29

Dentists sometimes create an overhang purposely when doing restorations.