A Practical Approach to Operative Dentistry. Gordon B. Gray
number of functions that include not only indirect vision but reflecting light onto tooth surfaces and retracting soft tissues to protect them from sharp burs.
Probes are used for the exploration of tooth surfaces or, more usually, for the exploration of a prepared cavity. This will provide the operator with knowledge of the surface texture and hardness of the dentine surface within a cavity. It should be noted, however, that the use of sharp probes in fissures can break down the surface and accelerate the progress of a carious lesion. The Briault probe is a double ended instrument that is very useful to exploring for cavitation between teeth and under restoration margins. It should be used lightly to avoid iatrogenic damage.
Periodontal probes are used to measure attachment loss, furcation involvement, and bleeding on probing. The WHO probe has coloured bands that correspond to the Basic Periodontal Examination grading system, and this probe has a small ball end to avoid trauma. The Williams probe has markings at 1 mm intervals and is used to make pocket depth measurements around each tooth when completing a periodontal charting.
Operative Management
These instruments include those used in removing carious dentine and refining the margins of a cavity. Excavators come in a variety of shapes and sizes and should be used carefully for paring away soft dentine. Marginal trimmers are excellent in removing unsupported enamel. The instruments have sharp cutting edges and must be kept sharp to be effective. Some marginal trimmers have a tip of tungsten carbide so that they can maintain their sharpness.
A double ended PF10 instrument is used to transfer dental cements to the cavity floor where it can spread the material smoothly and evenly. An amalgam gun is used to transfer the mixed filling material into the cavity, where it can be condensed using a variety of double ended amalgam condensers. Composite resin is used increasingly frequently in the restoration of teeth. Composite resin sticks to the surface of stainless steel instruments. A range of gold plated stainless steel instruments is available for transferring and shaping this restorative material.
The final shaping of restorations can be achieved using carvers. These double ended instruments have a leaf shaped blade that can be rested on the surrounding tooth structure to help guide the final shape of the restoration.
Instrument Tray
Handpieces and Burs
Air Turbine
The air turbine or air rotor handpiece is often referred to as the high‐speed drill because it rotates at around 400 000–450 000 rpm (see Figure 1.1).