1. Which of the following is not a function of explorers? e)All of the above are func-
a)Detect the texture of tooth surfaces tions of the explorer
b)Detect calculus deposits
c)Examine occlusal surfaces for dental caries
d)Assess sealant retention
e)All of the above are functions of the explorer
2. Sadie wants to improve her ability to detect calculus. a)Lightly resting her mid-
Which of the following techniques will help her achieve dle �nger on the shank
this goal?
a)Lightly resting her middle �nger on the shank
b)Applying pressure with her middle �nger against the
shank
c)Applying pressure with her middle �nger against the
handle
3. An explorer provides the most tactile information to c)Both statements are
the clinician's �ngers. During calculus removal, an in- true.
strument is used to remove the calculus and then the
explorer is used to recheck the area to con�rm no
calculus is remaining.
a)The �rst statement is false; the second statement is
true.
b)Both statements are false.
c)Both statements are true.
d)The �rst statement is true; the second statement is
false.
4. To improve calculus detection, the clinician should ap- a)The �rst statement is
ply �rm pressure against the tooth surface. Many over- false; the second state-
lapping strokes should be used during assessment of ment is true.
the root surface.
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a)The �rst statement is false; the second statement is
true.
b)Both statements are false.
c)Both statements are true.
d)The �rst statement is true; the second statement is
false.
5. Mary wants to select the correct working-end of an b)She should place the
explorer for use on a mandibular molar. Which of the working-end on the distal
following is a correct technique for selecting the work- surface; if the lower shank
ing-end? is parallel to the distal sur-
a)She should place the working-end on the distal sur- face, this working-end is
face; if the lower shank goes across the mesial surface, correct.
this working-end is correct.
b)She should place the working-end on the distal sur-
face; if the lower shank is parallel to the distal surface,
this working-end is correct.
c)She should place the working-end on the facial sur-
face pointing forward; if the lower shank goes across
the facial surface, this working-end is correct.
d)She should place the working-end on the facial sur-
face pointing forward; if the lower shank goes across
the facial surface, this working-end is correct and she
should place the working-end on the distal surface;
if the lower shank goes across the distal surface, this
working-end is correct.
6. Yasmin wants to explore a molar tooth. How should b)Place the tip on the dis-
she begin? tobuccal line angle and
a)Place the tip on the midline of the facial surface and work back onto the distal
work toward the nondominant hand. surface.
b)Place the tip on the distobuccal line angle and work
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back onto the distal surface.
c)Place the tip on the midline of the facial surface and
work toward her dominant hand.
d)Place the tip on the distobuccal line angle and work
forward toward the mesial surface.
7. Subgingival calculus deposits are _____. d)located beneath the
a)located above the gingival margin gingival margin
b)located above the CEJ on posterior teeth
c)Located above the CEJ on anterior teeth
d)located beneath the gingival margin
8. Lorelei tells you that she can never feel subgingival cal- a)She is resting her mid-
culus deposits with her explorer no matter where the dle �nger on the in-
deposits are located. Which of the following technique strument handle, applying
errors is the most likely cause of Lorelei's inability to very heavy pressure dur-
detect calculus? ing exploratory strokes.
a)She is resting her middle �nger on the instru-
ment handle, applying very heavy pressure during ex-
ploratory strokes.
b)She is holding the instrument handle with her thumb
and index �nger.
c)She is using the wrong explorer.
d)She is not inserting the working-end to the base of
the sulcus.
9. Thaddeus will have better success in detecting subgin- b)light pressure
gival calculus deposits if he uses assessment strokes
with _____.
a)moderate pressure
b)light pressure
a)Detect the texture of tooth surfaces tions of the explorer
b)Detect calculus deposits
c)Examine occlusal surfaces for dental caries
d)Assess sealant retention
e)All of the above are functions of the explorer
2. Sadie wants to improve her ability to detect calculus. a)Lightly resting her mid-
Which of the following techniques will help her achieve dle �nger on the shank
this goal?
a)Lightly resting her middle �nger on the shank
b)Applying pressure with her middle �nger against the
shank
c)Applying pressure with her middle �nger against the
handle
3. An explorer provides the most tactile information to c)Both statements are
the clinician's �ngers. During calculus removal, an in- true.
strument is used to remove the calculus and then the
explorer is used to recheck the area to con�rm no
calculus is remaining.
a)The �rst statement is false; the second statement is
true.
b)Both statements are false.
c)Both statements are true.
d)The �rst statement is true; the second statement is
false.
4. To improve calculus detection, the clinician should ap- a)The �rst statement is
ply �rm pressure against the tooth surface. Many over- false; the second state-
lapping strokes should be used during assessment of ment is true.
the root surface.
, l
a)The �rst statement is false; the second statement is
true.
b)Both statements are false.
c)Both statements are true.
d)The �rst statement is true; the second statement is
false.
5. Mary wants to select the correct working-end of an b)She should place the
explorer for use on a mandibular molar. Which of the working-end on the distal
following is a correct technique for selecting the work- surface; if the lower shank
ing-end? is parallel to the distal sur-
a)She should place the working-end on the distal sur- face, this working-end is
face; if the lower shank goes across the mesial surface, correct.
this working-end is correct.
b)She should place the working-end on the distal sur-
face; if the lower shank is parallel to the distal surface,
this working-end is correct.
c)She should place the working-end on the facial sur-
face pointing forward; if the lower shank goes across
the facial surface, this working-end is correct.
d)She should place the working-end on the facial sur-
face pointing forward; if the lower shank goes across
the facial surface, this working-end is correct and she
should place the working-end on the distal surface;
if the lower shank goes across the distal surface, this
working-end is correct.
6. Yasmin wants to explore a molar tooth. How should b)Place the tip on the dis-
she begin? tobuccal line angle and
a)Place the tip on the midline of the facial surface and work back onto the distal
work toward the nondominant hand. surface.
b)Place the tip on the distobuccal line angle and work
, l
back onto the distal surface.
c)Place the tip on the midline of the facial surface and
work toward her dominant hand.
d)Place the tip on the distobuccal line angle and work
forward toward the mesial surface.
7. Subgingival calculus deposits are _____. d)located beneath the
a)located above the gingival margin gingival margin
b)located above the CEJ on posterior teeth
c)Located above the CEJ on anterior teeth
d)located beneath the gingival margin
8. Lorelei tells you that she can never feel subgingival cal- a)She is resting her mid-
culus deposits with her explorer no matter where the dle �nger on the in-
deposits are located. Which of the following technique strument handle, applying
errors is the most likely cause of Lorelei's inability to very heavy pressure dur-
detect calculus? ing exploratory strokes.
a)She is resting her middle �nger on the instru-
ment handle, applying very heavy pressure during ex-
ploratory strokes.
b)She is holding the instrument handle with her thumb
and index �nger.
c)She is using the wrong explorer.
d)She is not inserting the working-end to the base of
the sulcus.
9. Thaddeus will have better success in detecting subgin- b)light pressure
gival calculus deposits if he uses assessment strokes
with _____.
a)moderate pressure
b)light pressure
