Periodontal Instruments: Types, Uses, and Benefits for Effective Gum Care

Periodontal Instruments

Classification of Periodontal Instruments:

According to the Purpose

• Periodontal probes
• Explorers
• Scaling, root planning and curettage instruments
  • Sickle scalers
  • Curettes
  • Hoe, chisel and file scalers
  • Ultrasonic and sonic instruments
• Periodontal endoscope
• Cleansing and polishing instruments, e.g. rubber cups, brushes, dental tape

“Benefits Of Using Modern Periodontal Probes”

“Best Practices For Using Periodontal Probes”

Periodontal Probes

They are used to locate, measure and mark pockets, as well as determine their course on individual tooth surfaces.

Explorers

Used to locate calculus deposit and caries

Scaling, Root Planning and Curettage Instruments

They are used for removal of plaque and calcified deposit from crown and root of tooth, removal of altered cementum from subgingival root surface, and debridement of soft tissue lining the pocket. Scaling and curettage instruments are classified are:

“Risk Factors For Improper Use Of Periodontal Probes”

• Sickle scalers are heavy instruments use to remove supragingival calculus.
• Curettes are fine instruments used for subgingival scaling, root planning and removal of soft tissue lining the pocket.
• Hoe, chisel and file scalers are used to remove tenacious subgingival calculus and altered cementum. Their use to limited as compared to curettes.
• Ultrasonic and sonic instruments are used for scaling and cleansing tooth surfaces and curetting the soft tissue wall of periodontal pocket.

Periodontal Endoscope

It is used to visualize deeply into subgingival pocket and furcations, allowing the detection of pockets.

“Comprehensive Overview Of Modern Innovations In Periodontal Probes”

Cleansing and Polishing Instruments

These are rubber cups, brushes and dental tape, they are used to clean and polish tooth surfaces. Also available are air-powder abrasive systems for tooth polishing.