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Enamel-Cutting Instruments

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Parts of an Instrument

Instrument

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icon. Handle

Grasping end of instrument
Variety of sizes and styles

icon. Shank

Connects handle to working end of instrument
May be straight or may have one or more angles to accommodate specific areas of the mouth

icon. Working End

May have cutting edge, blade, bevel, point, nib, or beaks

Three-Numbered Instrument

Instrument

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Function

Numbers on handle indicate width, length, and angle of blade.
icon Indicates width of blade in tenths of millimeters
Example
20 indicates a width of 2 mm
icon Indicates length of blade in millimeters
Example
8 indicates a length of 8 mm
icon Indicates angle of blade from long axis of shaft
Example
12 indicates an angle of 12 degrees
The designation for the instrument described above is 20-8-12; the number of instrument size is indicated on the handle.
Examples of three-numbered instruments

Four-Numbered Instrument

Instrument

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Function

Numbers on handle indicate width of blade, angle of cutting edge, length of blade, and angle of blade.
icon Indicates width of blade in tenths of millimeters
Example
20 indicates a width of 2 mm
icon Indicates angle of cutting edge of blade in relation to handle
Example
95 indicates a cutting edge angle of 95 degrees
icon Indicates length of blade in millimeters
Example
8 indicates a length of 8 mm
icon Indicates angle of blade from long axis of shaft
Example
12 indicates a blade angle of 12 degrees
The designation for the instrument described above is 20-95-8-12; The number of instrument size is indicated on the handle.
Examples of four-numbered instruments

Enamel Hatchet

Instrument

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Functions

To cut, clean, and smooth walls in cavity preparation
To remove enamel not supported by dentin

Characteristics

Used with push motion
Cutting edge on same plane as handle
Single or double ended
Is a three-numbered instrument
Examples of instrument numbers
20-9-14
15-8-14
15-8-12

Practice Notes

Enamel Hatchet is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Enamel Hatchet must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Enamel Hoe

Instrument

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Function

To clean and smooth floor and walls in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Used with pulling motion
Cutting edge or blade nearly perpendicular to handle
Is a three-numbered instrument
Examples of instrument numbers
10-4-8
10-4-14

Practice Notes

Enamel Hoe is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Enamel Hoe must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Straight Chisel

Instrument

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Function

To plane and cleave enamel in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Used with push motion
Single-bevel cutting edge
Single or double ended
Examples of instrument numbers
15
20

Practice Notes

Straight Chisel is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Straight Chisel must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Wedelstaedt Chisel

Instrument

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Function

To plane and cleave enamel in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Used with push motion
Curved blade on working end
Single-bevel cutting edge
Single or double ended
Is a three-numbered instrument
Examples of instrument numbers
15-15-3
11.5-15-3

Practice Notes

Wedelstaedt Chisel is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Wedelstaedt Chisel must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Binangle Chisel

Instrument

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Function

To plane and cleave enamel in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Used with push motion
Two angles in the shank
Single or double ended
Is an example of three-numbered instrument
Examples of instrument numbers
20-9-8
15-8-8

Practice Notes

Binangle Chisel is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Binangle Chisel must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Angle Former

Instrument

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Function

To accentuate line and point angles in internal outline and retention in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Cutting edge at an angle
Single or double ended
Is a four-numbered instrument
Examples of instrument numbers
12-80-5-8
9-80-4-8

Practice Notes

Angle Former is used on restorative tray setups.

Sterilization Notes

Angle Former must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Gingival Margin Trimmer—Mesial and Distal

Instrument

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Function

To bevel cervical walls of mesial and distal retention areas

Characteristics

Practice Notes

Gingival Margin Trimmer is used on restorative tray setups.
Gingival Margin Trimmer is placed on tray setups in pairs: mesial and distal.

Sterilization Notes

Gingival Margin Trimmer must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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Spoon Excavators

Instrument

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Function

To remove carious dentin
Secondary functions:
To remove temporary crowns
To remove temporary cement in temporary restoration
To remove permanent crown during try-in

Characteristics

Concave design, spoon-shaped with cutting edge
Range of sizes:
icon Large—Curved blade—also referred to as Black Spoon
icon Small—Round blade
Single or double ended

Practice Notes

Spoon Excavator is used on restorative tray setups.
Refer to the amalgam tray setup (see Chapter 8), composite tray setups (see Chapter 9), and crown and bridge restorative tray setups (see Chapter 10).

Sterilization Notes

Spoon Excavator must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized. Verify appropriate color change has been achieved in external process indicator immediately after removal from sterilizer then check internal process indicator before treatment. Refer to state regulations for any additional state requirements.
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