Lab: Dental Instruments

Question 1

What are the hand instruments used during a dentistry procedure

Answer 1

Calculus forceps
Dental Hoe or Chisel
Dental probe and explorer 
Dental mirror
Hand-scaling instruments:
Dental scalers
Curettes
Periosteal elevators
Luxators
Winged- Elevators
Extractor forceps 
Root tip pick

Question 2

describe supra gingival

Answer 2

the exposed tooth surface (“above the gumline”)
Most visible part of the procedure for the owner
least important part for the patient’s dental health

Question 3

describe sub gingival

Answer 3

Subgingival: part of the tooth that is covered by gingiva

Question 4

What instruments are used to remove heavy gross calculus

Answer 4

Calculus removing forceps

Dental Hoe scaler or Chisel

Question 5

Describe calculus removing forceps

Answer 5

Curved beak instrument
USE: Allow easy removal of HEAVY GROSS calculus from the tooth surface (SUPRAgingical) decreasing chance of fracturing the tooth
Usually is the 1st instrument to use before power scaling and manual scaling

Question 6

Describe the dental hoe or chisel

Answer 6

Wide working tip, chisel*-like blade
Different sizes and shapes
Strong instrument
USE: SUPRAgingival HEAVY GROSS calculus removal only
How to use: pen grip
Certain prefer hoe than calculus forceps

Question 7

what are the instruments used to perform a dental exam and charting

Answer 7

Dental probe
Dental explorer
Dental mirror

Question 8

Describe the dental probe

Answer 8

Also called periodontal probe, since evaluating periodontium
Graduated, blunt ended probe at one end
Sharp shepherd’s hook at the other end : explorer
May also be single-ended
The blunt tip can be round or flat and graduated in mm or colour coded in bands.

Question 9

What is the use of the dental probe

Answer 9

Used:
1) subgingivally to explore the sulcus…
Crevice that surrounds the tooth (between tooth and free gingival margin) to mainly to determine PPD: periodontal probing depth

2) but also for locating the subgingival calculus and other problems

This must be done before OR after the dental procedure. Record is written on a dental chart

Question 10

What is the normal periodontal probing depth for a dog

Answer 10

1-3mm

Question 11

what is the normal periodontal probing depth for a cat

Answer 11

0.5-1mm

Question 12

what happens if your probing depth is deeper than it should be

Answer 12

If deeper: indicates a “pockets” due to:
Detachment of the PL
Bone resorption

Question 13

What is the dental explorer used for

Answer 13

Evaluate:
 enamel, 
subgingivally for plaque, caries, 
FORL (feline orthodontoclastic resorptive lesions)
Calculus left behind

Question 14

What is the dental mirror used for

Answer 14

Mirror good for seeing lesions palatally or lingually easily. Takes some getting used to

Question 15

What are the instruments used for periodontal therapy

Answer 15

Manual Dental scaler
Manuel Curettes
Universal
Gracey

Question 16

Describe the dental scaler

Answer 16

Triangular blade in cross section, with cutting capability at all three points of the triangle.
2 parallel cutting edges
Pointed toe
Used for removing supragingival calculus only.
It is NEVER used subgingivally!
Can distend or lacerate tissue
It requires a modified pen grip.
This instrument must be kept sharp.
Due to improvements in ultrasonic scaler tip technology, we tend to use it less but should be used after power scaling.

Question 17

Describe the curette

Answer 17

Doubled-ended instrument for easier access of all sides of tooth
On end going to the right, one end going to the left

Question 18

What are the common elements of a curette

Answer 18

Common elements:
Rounded back
Rounded toe (so less traumatic than scaler)
Semi-circular cross section

Question 19

Why do we use a curette

Answer 19

Type of scaler designed for moderate calculus removal on SUPRAgingival and SUBgingival surfaces (called periodontal therapy)
Should be used after power ultrasonic scaling procedure.
Be carefull! Stronger, sharper instruments
Take more efforts that power ultrasonic scaling

Question 20

Describe the universal curette

Answer 20

Universal: designed for easy adaptation on all tooth surfaces (thus the name “universal”)

Question 21

Describe the gracey curette

Answer 21

Gracey: designed to use on specific tooth surfaces that improve adaptation and calculus removal

Question 22

How do you use a universal curette

Answer 22

Shank parallel to the tooth surface being scaled
Cutting edge of blade is applied to the tooth surface and facial surface of blade is tilted toward the tooth to achieve 70-85° angle between tooth and blade
Apply lateral pressure against the tooth and pull upward while maintaining contact with the tooth

Question 23

How do you use a gracey curette

Answer 23

Shank parallel to the tooth surface being scaled
Lower cutting edge of blade is applied against the tooth surface
Apply pressure against the tooth (root) and pull upward, maintaining the parallel shank

Question 24

What are the dental instruments used to extract teeth

Answer 24

Periosteal Elevators
Luxators
Elevators (winged-elevators)
Root tip pic

Question 25

Describe the periosteal elevators

Answer 25

Other name: periosteotome: instrument used to cut the periosteum: membrane that cover the surface of all bones Thin and small very delicate ends

Question 26

Describe the use of the periosteal elevators

Answer 26

USE: Mainly used to lift full thickness soft tissue flaps, usually gingiva from alveolar bone before extraction After incision is made on the gingiva of one side or either side of the tooth to be extracted The tips require protection and need to be kept very sharp otherwise shredding of the flap can happen.

Question 27

What do we use luxators and elevators for

Answer 27

“leverage”: displace tooth root from its socket PL: periodontal ligament Alveolus : tooth socket

Question 28

Describe luxators

Answer 28

Very fine and sharp instruments with flap tip Can be easily damaged if used as elevator The tip is not designed for the extra force used with elevation (not for “leverage”) : they will break!

Question 29

How do you use a luxator

Answer 29

USE: for cutting the PL and expanding the alveolus (“to luxate the tooth”) …by inserting the instrument tip into the periodontal space with a gentle side to side rocking motion continuing down the length of the root

Question 30

Describe elevator

Answer 30

Have thicker working ends | Winged elevators: makes extractions easier, added leverage

Question 31

How do you use an elevator

Answer 31

USE: to stretch, cut, tear the PL + displace tooth root from its socket (so for leverage) So can be used as luxator and elevator

Question 32

What are the 2 uses of extraction forceps

Answer 32

1) Primarily for gripping the tooth or a root for removal during extraction once it has been luxated loose 2) Can also be used to remove gross supragingival calculus instead of using calculus forceps

Question 33

What do you use a root tip pick as

Answer 33

For removing small pieces of broken root tips Some use it as a luxator Very sharp

Question 34

What is in a Vanier suture kit

Answer 34

fine scissors, scalpel handle, suture material, periosteal elevator, rat tooth tissue forceps, olsen hagar needle drivers, scalpel blades

Question 35

How do you clean dental instruments

Answer 35

Cleaning and sterilization process same as surgical instruments Sterilized dental instrument kit per patient

Question 36

Describe the importance of dental instrument sharpening

Answer 36

Only basic sharpening techniques will be covered Sharpening should be done after each use One vet tech should be in charge Sharp instruments is the key for an enjoyable procedure

Question 37

What are the basic materials needed for dental sharpening

Answer 37

``` Basic materials: Mineral oil: provide fine finish, and little of the instrument is reduced Wipe clean after used May be autoclaved Arkansas flat stone (coarse and fine) Conical stone: to removed spicules Acrylic test stick or syringe case: to evaluate sharpness To dig the instrument in not to scrape the acrylic ```

Question 38

What is the basic instrument sharpening technique

Answer 38

Put 1 drop of oil on the stone and distribute the oil You want to sharp only the cutting end of the instrument Depending of the instrument…. place on the stone and move back and forth (curette, scaler) OR Place on the stone, sharp down or in circle then replaced it up, then sharp down or in circle (periosteal elevators, winged elevators)