Dental Instruments and Tray Setups Flashcards

What is the purpose of the dental dam during restorative procedures?

Answer: To isolate the operative field from saliva and provide moisture control

The dental dam (rubber dam) isolates one or more teeth from the oral environment, preventing moisture contamination (saliva, blood, crevicular fluid) and protecting the airway from small instruments or materials.

Which type of forceps is used to place and remove dental dam clamps?

Answer: Rubber dam forceps

Rubber dam (dental dam) forceps have beaks that fit into the holes on the wings of dental dam clamps, allowing controlled placement and removal of the clamp on the tooth.

What bur is most commonly used to prepare the initial entry into enamel during cavity preparation?

Answer: Tapered fissure bur

A tapered fissure carbide bur is most commonly used for cavity preparation entry, especially for creating the initial access outline form and vertical walls in Class I and Class II preparations.

What does the term 'G.V. Black's classification' refer to in dentistry?

Answer: A system that classifies cavity preparations based on tooth surface and location

G.V. Black's Classification categorizes cavity preparations into six classes based on the tooth surfaces involved and the location of the cavity.

Which instrument is included in a basic examination tray setup?

Answer: Mouth mirror, explorer, and periodontal probe

The basic examination (diagnostic) tray setup always includes a mouth mirror (indirect vision), explorer (caries detection), and periodontal probe (pocket depth measurement), along with cotton pliers.

What is the function of an explorer in a dental examination?

Answer: Detect caries, rough margins, calculus, and other surface irregularities

The explorer has a sharp, flexible tip used to tactilely detect soft spots (caries), overhanging margins, calculus deposits, open margins on restorations, and other surface irregularities.