INSTRUMENTATION FINAL MOD 1-6 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
For successful instrumentation, correct adaptation of the working-end must be maintained
throughout the instrumentation stroke. Incorrect adaptation can result in injury to the gingival
tissue. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
James is removing calculus deposits located at the gingival margin of a mandibular anterior
tooth. As he works around the tooth, his instrument cuts the soft tissue of the gingiva. Which of
the following is the most likely cause of the tissue trauma? - Answers Adapting the middle-third
of the working-end to the tooth
To maintain adaptation to a curved surface, the clinician needs to do all of the following except:
- Answers Use the modified pen grasp with digital motion
To select the correct working-end for use on the distal surface of a molar tooth, the clinician
should do which of the following? - Answers Observe the relationship between the distal
surface of the molar and the lower shank of the instrument; the lower shank should be parallel
to the distal surface.
The working-end of an instrument has three imaginary sections; the leading-third, middle-third,
and the _____-third. - Answers Heel
Which section(s) of the working-end are not in contact with the tooth when adapting the
instrument to the line angle of a tooth. - Answers Middle and heal third
An instrumentation stroke is the act of moving the working-end of a periodontal instrument
over the tooth surface. Junctional epithelium may be injured with incorrect instrumentation
within the sulcus. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
Which of the following correctly describes the type of lateral pressure used with an assessment
stroke? - Answers In contact with the tooth surface, but no pressure
Multidirectional instrumentation strokes are a combination of which of the following strokes? -
Answers Vertical, Horizontal, and Oblique
The instrument of choice to re-evaluate tooth surfaces following calculus removal is: - Answers
Explorer
Conservation of cementum is an important goal of instrumentation. Brief, biting strokes with
moderate pressure conserve cementum. - Answers The first statement is TRUE, the second
statement is FALSE
, The fingers of the dominant hand should be relaxed between the calculus removal strokes.
Lateral pressure should be applied during a calculus removal stroke. - Answers Both statements
are TRUE
Which of the following statements is TRUE about the root debridement stroke? - Answers It is a
shaving stroke, with moderate pressure against the tooth
Which of the following would work best for removing a large supra-gingival deposit of calculus
on the lingual surface of a mandibular anterior tooth? - Answers Tiny biting stroke of moderate
pressure with a sickle scaler
Which of the following statements about angulation is TRUE? - Answers The face-to-tooth
surface angulation for supra-gingival calculus removal is between 45 to 90 degrees.
For successful instrumentation, correct angulation of the working-end must be maintained
throughout the instrumentation stroke. Incorrect angulation can result in a burnished calculus
deposit. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
Removing supra-gingival calculus deposits is a challenging task since the clinician cannot see the
deposits hidden beneath the gingival margin. Calculus removal instrumentation strokes are
short, biting strokes. - Answers The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
A very large supragingival calculus deposit probably cannot be removed as a single piece; it will
need to be removed in sections. In removing a large supragingival calculus, it is helpful to adapt
the middle-third of the working-end so that you are using the strongest section of the working-
end. - Answers The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE
Which of the following correctly describes the type of lateral pressure used with a calculus
removal stroke? - Answers Firm pressure to remove deposit from tooth
Stabilization of the hand during instrumentation is: - Answers Achieved by pressing the tip of
the fulcrum finger against the tooth surface
Working with a face-to-tooth surface angulation of 80 degrees would most likely result in: -
Answers Effiecent supra-gingival calculus removal
Which of the following correctly describes the character of the instrumentation stroke used
with supra-gingival calculus removal stroke? - Answers Biting strokes, short in length
James is about to use a sickle scaler. What is the function of this instrument? - Answers Remove
large supra-gingival calculus deposits
Which of the following is not a design characteristic of a sickle scaler? - Answers One cutting
edge per working-end
UPDATE 2026
For successful instrumentation, correct adaptation of the working-end must be maintained
throughout the instrumentation stroke. Incorrect adaptation can result in injury to the gingival
tissue. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
James is removing calculus deposits located at the gingival margin of a mandibular anterior
tooth. As he works around the tooth, his instrument cuts the soft tissue of the gingiva. Which of
the following is the most likely cause of the tissue trauma? - Answers Adapting the middle-third
of the working-end to the tooth
To maintain adaptation to a curved surface, the clinician needs to do all of the following except:
- Answers Use the modified pen grasp with digital motion
To select the correct working-end for use on the distal surface of a molar tooth, the clinician
should do which of the following? - Answers Observe the relationship between the distal
surface of the molar and the lower shank of the instrument; the lower shank should be parallel
to the distal surface.
The working-end of an instrument has three imaginary sections; the leading-third, middle-third,
and the _____-third. - Answers Heel
Which section(s) of the working-end are not in contact with the tooth when adapting the
instrument to the line angle of a tooth. - Answers Middle and heal third
An instrumentation stroke is the act of moving the working-end of a periodontal instrument
over the tooth surface. Junctional epithelium may be injured with incorrect instrumentation
within the sulcus. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
Which of the following correctly describes the type of lateral pressure used with an assessment
stroke? - Answers In contact with the tooth surface, but no pressure
Multidirectional instrumentation strokes are a combination of which of the following strokes? -
Answers Vertical, Horizontal, and Oblique
The instrument of choice to re-evaluate tooth surfaces following calculus removal is: - Answers
Explorer
Conservation of cementum is an important goal of instrumentation. Brief, biting strokes with
moderate pressure conserve cementum. - Answers The first statement is TRUE, the second
statement is FALSE
, The fingers of the dominant hand should be relaxed between the calculus removal strokes.
Lateral pressure should be applied during a calculus removal stroke. - Answers Both statements
are TRUE
Which of the following statements is TRUE about the root debridement stroke? - Answers It is a
shaving stroke, with moderate pressure against the tooth
Which of the following would work best for removing a large supra-gingival deposit of calculus
on the lingual surface of a mandibular anterior tooth? - Answers Tiny biting stroke of moderate
pressure with a sickle scaler
Which of the following statements about angulation is TRUE? - Answers The face-to-tooth
surface angulation for supra-gingival calculus removal is between 45 to 90 degrees.
For successful instrumentation, correct angulation of the working-end must be maintained
throughout the instrumentation stroke. Incorrect angulation can result in a burnished calculus
deposit. - Answers Both statements are TRUE
Removing supra-gingival calculus deposits is a challenging task since the clinician cannot see the
deposits hidden beneath the gingival margin. Calculus removal instrumentation strokes are
short, biting strokes. - Answers The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
A very large supragingival calculus deposit probably cannot be removed as a single piece; it will
need to be removed in sections. In removing a large supragingival calculus, it is helpful to adapt
the middle-third of the working-end so that you are using the strongest section of the working-
end. - Answers The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE
Which of the following correctly describes the type of lateral pressure used with a calculus
removal stroke? - Answers Firm pressure to remove deposit from tooth
Stabilization of the hand during instrumentation is: - Answers Achieved by pressing the tip of
the fulcrum finger against the tooth surface
Working with a face-to-tooth surface angulation of 80 degrees would most likely result in: -
Answers Effiecent supra-gingival calculus removal
Which of the following correctly describes the character of the instrumentation stroke used
with supra-gingival calculus removal stroke? - Answers Biting strokes, short in length
James is about to use a sickle scaler. What is the function of this instrument? - Answers Remove
large supra-gingival calculus deposits
Which of the following is not a design characteristic of a sickle scaler? - Answers One cutting
edge per working-end
