Dental Machines Lab 5

Dental Machines

• Micromotor requires frequent sharpening
• Micromotor can be used for tooth sectioning prior to extraction
• Micromotor requires an external water source to avoid thermal damage due to the lack of internal water
• Compressed air units can have a high speed handpiece with water, a low speed handpiece without water, and an airway water syringe.
• Compressed air units can be equipped with satellite compressors
• Cavitron (ultrasonic scaler) requires water flow to the dental machine

Cavitron Operation

• Cavitron selector switch has a red LED light indicating power
• Cavitron power control knob should be set to minimum during initial setup
• Cavitron water control should be set to maximum while holding the handpiece over a sink to ensure water flow
• A sterile tip should be inserted and tightened into the nosecone before use
• Cavitron power and water controls should be adjusted for a fine mist at the tip
• Cavitron power should be kept low to minimize heat generation

Dental Charting

• Dental Chart is a legal and essential part of a dental procedure
• Dental Chart documents patient information, pathology, and procedure details
• Dental Chart provides legal documentation, evidence of pathology, and justification for treatment
• Periodontal probe is the most important instrument for evaluating periodontal health
• Dental Chart Components:
  • Clinic name
  • Doctor name
  • Client information
  • Patient Information:
    • Name
    • Color
    • Weight
    • Age
    • Sex
    • Breed
    • Allergies
  • History
  • Exam:
    • Skull type
    • Occlusion
    • Dental abnormalities
    • Indexes
  • Documentation
• Types of charting systems:
  • Anatomical

Dental Instruments

• Explorers are slender wire-like instruments with a sharp point and a Shepherd's hook
• Explorers are used to check for tooth irregularities, caries, enamel/dentin defects, fractures, tooth resorption, and subgingival calculus
• Periodontal probes are round or flat instruments with graduated blunt ends for measurement
• Periodontal probes measure gingival sulcus depth, periodontal pocket depth, and determine gingival inflammation, furcation, and tooth mobility
• Periodontal probes measure up to 10mm (Williams marking), 15mm (UNC probe), or 11.5mm (some probes)
• Periodontal probes make measurements in millimeters
• Recommended probe measurements for dogs: 0-3mm
• Recommended probe measurements for cats: 0-1mm
• Shepherd's hook is a common explorer used for identifying dental irregularities
• Calculus removal forceps remove large calculus deposits from the tooth surface
• Calculus removal forceps have a straight tip and a curved tip for engaging calculus near the gingival margin
• Scalers are used for supragingival scaling (above the gumline) and cleaning interdental spaces
• Scalers are limited to supragingival cleaning because they can cause trauma to the gingiva
• Scalers have three parts: handle, shank, and a working end with cutting edges
• The optimal angle for using an ultrasonic probe for cleaning is 0-15 degrees
• Polishing teeth after scaling removes plaque and smoothes etched enamel
• Curettes are more slender than scalers and have a round tip
• Curettes can be used above and below the gumline and should not be used as scalers
• Scalers have sharp cutting edges and are only to be used above the gumline

Dental Instruments

• Explorers: Slender, wire-like instruments with a sharp point and a Shepherd's hook used to examine teeth for irregularities.
• Periodontal probes: Graduated instruments used to measure gingival sulcus and periodontal pocket depth. Available with different lengths:
  • Williams markings up to 10 mm
  • University of North Carolina up to 15 mm
  • Some probes up to 11.5 mm
  • Measure in increments of millimeters
  • Dogs: 0-3 mm
  • Cats: 0-1 mm
• Shepherd's hook: A common type of explorer used to check for:
  • Caries
  • Enamel or dentin defects
  • Fractures
  • Tooth resorption
  • Subgingival calculus
• Calculus removal forceps: Remove large calculus deposits from the tooth surface.
  • One end with a straight tip
  • Other end with a curved tip
• Scalers: Used for supragingival scaling (above the gumline) and in interdental spaces.
  • Cannot be used below the gumline as it can cause gingival trauma
  • Three parts: handle, shank, and working end with cutting edges
• Curettes: More slender than scalers with a round tip.
  • Can be used above and below the gumline
  • Should not be used as a scaler
• Recommended care for curettes and scalers: Frequent sharpening

Dental Machine & Air Unit

• Ultrasonic scaler: Uses high-frequency vibrations to remove calculus.
  • Important to keep the power control at a lower setting to prevent heat generation.
  • Steps for using:
    • Connect water source and turn it on.
    • Rotate the selector switch to "scaler" (red LED light should illuminate).
    • Adjust power control to minimum setting.
    • With no tip installed, set the water control to maximum and test water flow over a sink.
    • Insert a sterile tip into the nosecone and tighten securely.
    • Adjust power control and water control for a fine mist.

Dental Charting

• Dental chart documents information about the patient, pathology, and procedure, serving as a legal document and a vital part of a dental procedure.
• Importance of charting:
  • Legal documentation
  • Provides evidence for pathology identified.
  • Justifies the treatments performed.
• Periodontal probe is the most important instrument used for assessing periodontal health.
• Components of the Dental Chart:
  • Clinic name
  • Doctor name
  • Client information
  • Patient information: name, color, weight, age, sex, breed, allergies
  • History
  • Exam: skull type, occlusion, dental abnormalities, indexes, etc.
  • Documentation
• Two types of charting systems:
  • Anatomical:

This quiz covers essential information on dental machines, focusing on the micromotor and Cavitron operation. Learn about their functions, maintenance requirements, and operational setup. Perfect for dental hygiene students and professionals seeking to reinforce their knowledge of dental equipment.