Question 1

An intraoral fulcrum is accomplished by establishing a finger rest near the tooth to be instrumented. Establishing a finger rest as close as possible to the working end of the instrument is preferable so the fingers in the grasp will remain touching.

Accepted Answer

A) Both statements are TRUE 
B) The first statement is TRUE; the second FALSE 
C) The first statement is FALSE; the second TRUE 
D) Both statements are FALSE

Question 2

A clinician is having difficulty keeping the lower shank parallel to the long axis of tooth #3. The clinician is using a Gracey 13/14 curet with a miniature working end and an extended lower shank. Which of the following would MOST LIKELY improve access in this distolingual surface?

Accepted Answer

A) Switch to an advanced fulcrum 
B) Use a straight, slim-diameter ultrasonic tip 
C) Use a universal curet with an extended shank 
D) Use a rigid Gracey curet instead

Question 3

The clinician is using hand instruments to remove moderate calculus deposits. After 30 minutes, the clinician's hand muscles become noticeably fatigued. Potentially, all of the following can cause hand fatigue EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

A) Gloves that fit too tightly 
B) Using instruments with large-diameter, hollow handles 
C) Using an instrument that is not balanced 
D) Using finger motion instead of wrist motion activation

Question 4

The client started gagging on the ultrasonic's water spray, so the clinician decides to use a hand instrument to remove a tenacious, moderate calculus deposit on the facial surface of tooth #31. The calculus deposit is located supragingivally on the crown of the tooth. Which of the following instruments would you choose?

Accepted Answer

A) Universal curet with a short lower shank length 
B) Standard Gracey 13/14 curet 
C) A rigid Gracey curet 
D) A posterior sickle scaler

Question 5

A large piece of burnished calculus is present on the distal aspect of tooth #2. Which instrument would be MOST effective in preparing the burnished deposit for eventual removal with another periodontal instrument?

Accepted Answer

A) A beavertail ultrasonic tip 
B) A rigid Gracey 13/14 
C) A periodontal file 
D) A miniature Gracey 13/14 curet with an extended shank

Question 6

One of the client's chief complaints is dry mouth. All of the following are useful suggestions for the client to minimize the effects of xerostomia EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

A) Increase the intake of caffeine-containing drinks to stimulate saliva production 
B) Take frequent sips of water throughout the day 
C) Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night 
D) Chew food slowly and thoroughly, and sip water with it before swallowing

Question 7

To remove light subgingival calculus from the furcation area of a mandibular molar, which of the following instruments would be MOST efficient?

Accepted Answer

A) Standard anterior Gracey curet 
B) Universal curet with an extended shank length 
C) A Gracey curet with an extended shank and miniature working end 
D) Posterior sickle with a complex shank

Question 8

The posterior sextants exhibit moderate supragingival and subgingival calculus deposits. Clinical attachment loss is present with periodontal pockets greater than 4 mm in depth. The clinician plans to complete calculus removal on the maxillary right posterior sextant. He plans to use a series of ultrasonic tips followed by hand instruments. Which sequence of ultrasonic tips would be MOST effective for calculus removal in this sextant?

Accepted Answer

A) Beavertail tip, followed by a slim-diameter straight tip with extended shank length 
B) Standard-diameter universal tip with a curved shank, followed by paired right and left slim-diameter curved tips with extended shank length 
C) A slim-diameter straight tip, followed by paired right and left slim-diameter curved tips with extended shank length 
D) A standard-diameter universal tip with a curved shank, followed by a slim-diameter straight tip

Question 9

Tooth #8 is restored with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. Which of the following instruments is contraindicated for use around tooth #8?

Accepted Answer

A) A standard-diameter ultrasonic tip 
B) A universal curet 
C) An anterior Gracey curet 
D) An ODU 11/12 explorer

Question 10

Which of the following instruments would be the MOST effective in removing a small subgingival calculus deposit on the lingual aspect of tooth #24?

Accepted Answer

A) A Gracey 1/2 curet with a miniature working end and an extended lower shank 
B) An anterior sickle scaler 
C) An periodontal file designed for use on the lingual aspect 
D) A standard Gracey 1/2 curet

Question 11

The clinician determines that many of the client's multiple-rooted teeth have loss of clinical attachment. This information should prompt the clinician to use the following instrument to assess for possible furcation involvement.

Accepted Answer

A) An ODU 11/12 explorer 
B) Calibrated Nabers probes with curved working ends 
C) Calibrated periodontal probe with a straight working end 
D) Slim-diameter curved right and left paired ultrasonic tips with extended shanks

Question 12

Teeth #19 and #20 have been replaced with dental implants. Which of the following instruments would be the BEST choice to remove light calculus from the prosthetic crowns of these dental implants?

Accepted Answer

A) Plastic implant instrument with a curet-shaped working end 
B) Plastic implant instrument with a wrench-shaped working end 
C) Universal curet with a short lower shank length 
D) Standard-diameter ultrasonic universal tip with a curved working end

Question 13

What type of stroke pressure usually is required to remove a calculus deposit from the prosthetic crown of a dental implant?

Accepted Answer

A) Firm, scraping pressure 
B) Moderate, scraping pressure 
C) Light lateral pressure 
D) No pressure at all, use an assessment stroke

Question 14

Before beginning calculus removal, the clinician uses an explorer to determine the type, amount, and location of calculus deposits. Which of the following explorers is NOT recommended for calculus detection?

Accepted Answer

A) ODU 11/12 explorer 
B) Shepherd's hook explorer 
C) Orban-type explorer 
D) Pigtail explorer

Question 15

The client's mandibular anterior teeth are in linguoversion and are crowded. The clinician is having difficulty accessing the lingual surfaces of these mandibular anterior teeth. Which of the following patient positioning suggestions is BEST to ensure an ergonomic instrumentation technique?

Accepted Answer

A) Ask the client to lower his chin (chin-down position) 
B) Lower the back of the client's chair until it is parallel to the floor 
C) Ask the client to keep his chin in an upward position (chin-up position) 
D) Stand up and work, with the client in an upright seated position

Question 16

To minimize client discomfort during root surface debridement in periodontal pockets, the clinician should use caution when inserting a universal curet beneath the gingival margin. The face-to-tooth surface angulation during insertion of the working end beneath the gingival margin is between:

Accepted Answer

A) 0 and 40 degrees 
B) 10 and 50 degrees 
C) 40 and 80 degrees 
D) 70 and 90 degrees

Question 17

Which of the following ultrasonic tips would be MOST efficient for removing the heavy ledge of supragingival calculus on the client's mandibular anterior sextant, lingual aspect?

Accepted Answer

A) A bulky ultrasonic tip with a short shank, commonly called a beavertail tip 
B) A slim-diameter, straight ultrasonic tip with extended shank 
C) Paired right and left slim-diameter curved ultrasonic tips with extended shanks 
D) Ultrasonic tip with a rounded ball-end

Question 18

The straight calibrated periodontal probe can be used for all of the following assessment procedures EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

A) Measuring the width of attached gingiva 
B) Assessment of dental restorations 
C) Measuring the extent of recession of the gingival margin 
D) Measuring the size of oral lesions

Question 19

Which of the following instruments would be the BEST choice for removing the light subgingival calculus deposits on the proximal surfaces of the posterior teeth?

Accepted Answer

A) A set of standard Gracey curets 
B) A universal curet 
C) A posterior sickle scaler 
D) A set of Gracey curets with extended shank lengths

Question 20

The client has several areas of existing root caries and xerostomia. This combination places him at extreme risk for caries. All of the following are recommended management strategies for caries prevention EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

A) Professional application of fluoride varnish every 3 months 
B) Daily use of an antiseptic mouthrinse 
C) Twice daily brushing with a prescription sodium fluoride (NaF) toothpaste 
D) Twice daily topical application of calcium or phosphate paste

Exam 17: Instrumentation for Client Assessment and Care