Exploring the Possibilities: The ODU and #17 Explorers
Name: _____________________
Are you a “Righty” or a “Lefty”? (circle one)
If you have not already done so, please take a minute to attach your typodont onto the manikin head.
Please pick up your mirror and the ODU 11/12 explorer.
1. What identifying characteristics did you use to determine which of the instruments in your cassette is the
ODU 11/12?
The instrument is ‘curly’ and the tips of the instrument are pointed. The foot of the instrument is round- there are no cutting edges on it. There is no distinct ‘heel’ of the instrument.
2. If we were interested in exploring the first molar on the maxilla, dominant side, please answer:
a. Write out the full name of this tooth Maxillary right first molar /Maxillary left first molar
b. Is the chin up or down? up
c. Which way is the head tilted? To the right or the left (circle one)Left for righties /right for lefties
d. What is the clinician’s clock position? 10:00 -11:00 buccal or 11:00 lingual /1:00 lingual or 1-2:00 buccal
e. Are you using direct or indirect vision? Direct / Direct or indirect would be appropriate for lefties
f. The mirror is held in which hand? Dominant or Nondominant? (circle one)
g. Mirror fulcrum is where? Resting lightly on the patient’s cheek- extraoral fulcrum.
h. Determine the correct ‘working end’ by:
i. placing the explorer in the mouth and lining the terminal shank up to the mesial lingual line angle on #3 (or #14 for lefties)
ii. ‘point’ of instrument tip should be pointing towards the mesial (col)
iii. ‘point’ of instrument should be pointing towards the tooth surface- not towards the gingiva.
If tip is pointing out towards the gingiva, flip your instrument and repeat i and ii.
iv. have your pod instructor verify that you are using the correct working end.
Instructor initials _______
3. Now that you are using the correct working end- how are you going to explore the distal lingual surface? Take a few minutes to figure this out and then explain some ‘tips’ you used to ready yourself for exploring this surface:
The clinician needs to just roll the instrument so that the point is pointing towards the distal col.
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4. Begin ‘exploring’ the distal lingual surface of the first molar.
a. Insertion is at the distal lingual line angle. Remember that the terminal shank is parallel to the long axis of the tooth.
b. Now begin your walking stroke into the distal col area.
c. When you are done, reposition your tip so that it is now pointing towards the mesial and begin ‘exploring the direct lingual. On the direct lingual surface, the terminal shank of the explorer is NOT parallel to the long axis of the tooth. It should be angled towards the mesial.
d. After exploring the direct lingual surface, move right away into exploring the mesial lingual surface.
5. Without lifting your fulcrum finger, explore the distal lingual surface of the dominant side, maxillary 2nd
premolar. Now explore the lingual and mesial lingual surfaces.
6. With some slight fulcrum adjustment, proceed to explore the first premolar, same arch, lingual surfaces.
7. Now you are ready to explore the lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth. What changes need to occur?
Clinician needs to move their clock position (Righties moves to 11:00 / lefties move to 1:00.
8. Proceed with exploring the anterior linguals up to the canine on the adjacent quadrant.
9. Repeat exploring the maxillary dominant posterior and anterior sextants- all lingual surfaces.
a. Is your back aligned correctly to the back of the clinician’s stool?
b. Is the small of your back against the back of the clinician’s chair?
10. When all of the above is completed- please demonstrate your exploring technique to your instructor.
When both of you are comfortable with technique, have your instructor sign off on this quadrant _______
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11. Repeat steps 1-10 for the dominant maxillary quadrant- buccal surfaces :
Instructor verification of correct working end of instrument for #3 (or #14) _________________
Instructor verification that all buccal surfaces have been satisfactorily explored ______________
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12. Repeat steps 1-10 for the non-dominant maxillary quadrant :
Instructor verification of correct working end of instrument for buccal ________
lingual ________
Instructor verification that all surfaces of this quadrant have been satisfactorily explored _______
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13. Repeat steps 1-10 for the mandibular left posterior sextant :
Instructor verification of correct working end of instrument for buccal ________
lingual ________
Instructor verification that all surfaces of the mand. left have been satisfactorily explored _______
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14. Repeat steps 1-10 for the mandibular right posterior sextant :
Instructor verification of correct working end of instrument for buccal ________
lingual ________
Instructor verification that all surfaces of the mand. right have been satisfactorily explored_____
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15. Now go back and only do the Mandibular anterior teeth- linguals/facials
a. What is your clock position for each? 12:00
b. What tooth is it recommended that you begin exploring on? Canine furthest away- move toward your dominant side. Ie: Righties would begin with #11 maxillary or #22 mandible / Lefties: #6 maxillary or #27 mandible.
c. Should you use suction? Yes! Always recommended for mandibular instrumentation.
If so, where is it placed? Suction is placed in the vestibule same side the patient’s head is tilted.
d. What other methods can you use to dry the facial/lingual surface? Can use air, gauze
e. What type of vision do you use on the facial and lingual surfaces? Maxillary facials- direct, linguals- indirect, Mandibular facials and linguals- indirect
f. Demonstrate exploring of the facial/lingual surfaces. Instructor initials _____/______
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Now, please pick up your mirror and the #17 explorer .
1. What identifying characteristics did you use to determine which of the instruments in your cassette is the #17?
The #17 explorer has a long, thin terminal shank with a very small pointed foot.
2. Where is this instrument primarily used? Anterior teeth
3. What clock position is used when using this instrument? 12:00
4. Begin exploring the Maxillary anterior sextant:
a. What tooth is it recommended that you begin exploring on? Righties- #11 /Lefties- #6
b. Should you use suction? Optional If so, where is it placed? place in vestibule same side the head is turned
e. What type of vision do you use on the facial surfaces? Direct lingual surfaces? Indirect
f. Using the #17 explorer, demonstrate exploring of the
i. Maxillary facial surfaces
ii. Maxillary lingual surfaces Instructor initials _____/______
g. Using the #17 explorer, demonstrate exploring of the
i. Mandibular facial surfaces
ii. Mandibular lingual surfaces Instructor initials _____/______