Parts Of Instruments &
Instrumentation on
model
Department of Periodontology
Design : Main Parts Of An
Instrument
1. Working End
2. Shank
3. Handle
Handle
• It is the part of the instrument that is held during activation of
working end
• Types
1. Hollow handles , lighter than solid handles and have better track
sensitivity and lessens fatigue .
2. Handles may have a smooth , ribbed or knurled surface texture .
( texture prevents slippage and control and comfort )
3. Different materials may be used to make handles such as Resin and
aluminium in place of stainless steel .
Shank
• Connects the handle to the working end of the instrument .
• Have one or more angles to avoid twisting of the instrument .
• Instruments with long blades require 2 or 3 angles in the shank to
bring the cutting edge near to the long axis of the handle .(Mon-
angled Bin-angled Triple-Angled)
• Shank Angle : Balance is accomplished by designing the angle of the
shank so that the cutting edge of the blade must not be off axis by
more than 1-2 mm Mon-angled Bin-angled Triple-Angled
• Shank can be divided into functional and terminal
• The functional shank extends from the working end to the
shank bend closest to instrument handle. It can be short,
long or intermediate.
• The terminal shank extends between the blade and 1st bend.
• Long functional shank is needed to reach the tooth surfaces
of posterior teeth or root surfaces of teeth with subgingival
periodontal pockets whereas short functional shanks are
used to remove supragingival calculus deposits or to reach
the surface of anterior teeth.
• Rigid and thick shank : Stronger and able to withstand
pressure without flexing – For removal of heavy calculus
deposits
• Less rigid and more flexible shank : Provide more tactile
sensitivity – Used to remove fine deposits of calculus and for
root debridement .
• Straight shank and complex shank ( Curved and contr-angle )
Working end
• The working end is made up of several components such as the face,
cutting edge , back and toe
• Rounded working end – Toe
• Pointed working end –Tip
• It is usually in the form of a bevel (acute angle ) that cuts into the tooth
structure .
• Each blade has a cutting edge which is working part of the instrument.
• Materials used to make working end : Stainless steel ( resistant to
corrosion ), carbon steel ( long lasting ) , plastic & graphite(Implant
abutments) .
Principles
• Accessibility : Position of patient and operator
• Visibility , illumination & retraction
• Condition and sharpness of instrument
• Maintaining a clean field
• Instrument stabilization
• Instrument activation
Basic Instrumentation on model
Modified pen grasp
• Grasp
1. Modified pen grasp : this
method gives a tripod effect
which ensures greater control in Standard pen grasp
performing intraoral procedures
2. Standard pen grasp : The
thumb, index finger & middle
finger are used to hold Palm and thumb grasp
instruments as pen is held .
3. Palm and thumb grasp :
Instruments during sharpening
and for manipulating air and
water syringes.
• Rest (Intra oral) Conventional Finger Rest
1. Conventional : It is established
on the tooth surface
immediately adjacent to
working area .
Cross arch Finger Rest
2. Cross Arch : It is established on
the teeth surface of the other
side of the same arch .
3. Opposite Arch : It is established
on a tooth surface on the Opposite arch Finger Rest
opposite arch .
4. Finger on finger : It is
established on the index finger
or thumb of the non-operating Finger on finger rest
hand
• Rest (Extra oral) Palm up Finger Rest
1. Palm up : It is established by
resting the backs of the middle
& fourth finger on the skin
overlying the lateral aspects of
the mandible on the right side.
2. Palm down : It is established by
resting the front surface of the Palm Down Finger Rest
middle and fourth finger on th
skin overlying the lateral aspect
of the mandible on the left
side.
• Instrument Activation :
a) Adaptation : The manner in which the working end
of the instrument is placed against the tooth .
b) Angulation : The angle between the face of the
bladed instrument and the tooth surface . { During
insertion - 0 , Scaling and root planning – 45-90 }
c) Lateral Pressure : It refers to the pressure created
when force is applied against the surface of the
tooth with cutting edge of a bladed instrument .
d) Strokes :
-exploratory : light strokes used by probes and explorers
: To detect calculus and irregularities on tooth surface .
-scaling :short powerful pull stroke used with bladed
instruments : to remove both subgingival and
supragingival calculus .
-root planning : light to medium pull strokes for final
smoothening and planning of the root surface .
Thank You
