CHAPTER 21 Dental Instruments
This chapter covers dental instruments that are used in most routine dental cleanings. However, this is not a comprehensive list of all the dental instruments available.
INSTRUMENT
Tartar Scrapers—Single-Ended
| FUNCTION | To remove tartar and plaque from the surfaces of teeth. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | These scrapers are available in a variety of shapes and angles that fit specific teeth. |
INSTRUMENT
Jacquette Tartar Scalers
| FUNCTION | To remove tartar and plaque from the surfaces of teeth. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | These scalers are double ended and are available in a variety of shapes and angles that fit specific tooth surfaces. |
INSTRUMENT
Columbia Curette
| FUNCTION | To remove tartar from the subgingival surfaces of teeth. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | Curettes come in a variety of shapes and angles that fit specific teeth. |
INSTRUMENT
Depth Probe and Explorer
| FUNCTION | To examine teeth for caries, calculi, furcations, and other abnormalities and to explore the depth of the sulci. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | The probe end is half curved and ends in a fine point. It is dragged across the surface of the tooth to check for missed tartar; the pointed end is used to check for soft spots. The explorer end has a blunt tip and graduations that are measured in millimeters; it is placed into the sulcus to measure the depth of the pocket. |
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