HAND INSTRUMENTS TECHNIQUE
1. MODIFIED PEN GRASP
It is similar, but not identical, to that used in holding a pen
The pads of the thumb and of the index and middle fingers contact the instrument, while the tip of the
ring finger is placed on a nearby tooth surface of the same arch as a rest.
The instrument should not be allowed to rest on or near the first joint of the middle finger as in the
conventional pen grasp.
2. INVERTED PEN GRASP
The finger positions of the inverted pen grasp are the same as for the modified pen grasp.
This grasp is used mostly for tooth preparations employing the lingual approach on anterior teeth.
3. PALM-AND-THUMB GRASP
Similar to that used for holding a knife while paring an apple.
The handle is placed in the palm of the hand and grasped by all the fingers, while the thumb is free
of the instrument, and the rest is provided by supporting the tip of the thumb on a nearby tooth of
the same arch or on a firm, stable structure.
4. MODIFIED PALM-AND-THUMB GRASP
Used when it is feasible to rest the thumb on the tooth being prepared or the adjacent tooth.
The handle of the instrument is held by all four fingers, whose pads press the handle against the
distal area of the palm and the pad and first joint of the thumb.
Grasping the handle under the first joints of the ring finger and little finger provides stabilization.
Usually is employed in the area of the maxillary arch and is best adopted when the dentist is
operating from a rear-chair position.
RESTS
Must include a firm rest to steady the hand during operating procedures.
Rests are established by placing the ring finger on a tooth of the same arch and as close to the operating site as
possible. (Modified pen grasp and inverted pen grasp)
Rests are created by placing the tip of the thumb on the tooth being operated on, on an adjacent tooth, or on a
convenient area of the same arch. (Palm-and-thumb grasps)
Occasionally, it is impossible to establish normal finger rests with the hand holding the instrument.
GUARDS
Guards are hand instruments or other items, such as interproximal wedges
Used to protect soft tissue from contact with sharp cutting or abrasive instruments.
NOTES:
Carrier is the instrument used to place amalgam inside a prepared cavity
Rotary is the term given to tooth cutting instruments which turn on an axis to perform the work
ROTARY POWER CUTTING EQUIPMENT
Dental handpieces are powered rotary cutting instruments that are the most commonly used instruments in
contemporary Dentistry.
Air-driven handpieces weigh less than electric handpieces
Advantage of Electric: They are quieter than air-driven handpieces, they cut with high torque with very little
stalling and they maintain high bur concentricity and offer high-precision cutting.
Cutting with electric handpieces is smoother and more like milling. They offer multiple attachments for the
motor that can be used for different cutting applications such as denture adjustments and endodontic
instrumentation.
1. MODIFIED PEN GRASP
It is similar, but not identical, to that used in holding a pen
The pads of the thumb and of the index and middle fingers contact the instrument, while the tip of the
ring finger is placed on a nearby tooth surface of the same arch as a rest.
The instrument should not be allowed to rest on or near the first joint of the middle finger as in the
conventional pen grasp.
2. INVERTED PEN GRASP
The finger positions of the inverted pen grasp are the same as for the modified pen grasp.
This grasp is used mostly for tooth preparations employing the lingual approach on anterior teeth.
3. PALM-AND-THUMB GRASP
Similar to that used for holding a knife while paring an apple.
The handle is placed in the palm of the hand and grasped by all the fingers, while the thumb is free
of the instrument, and the rest is provided by supporting the tip of the thumb on a nearby tooth of
the same arch or on a firm, stable structure.
4. MODIFIED PALM-AND-THUMB GRASP
Used when it is feasible to rest the thumb on the tooth being prepared or the adjacent tooth.
The handle of the instrument is held by all four fingers, whose pads press the handle against the
distal area of the palm and the pad and first joint of the thumb.
Grasping the handle under the first joints of the ring finger and little finger provides stabilization.
Usually is employed in the area of the maxillary arch and is best adopted when the dentist is
operating from a rear-chair position.
RESTS
Must include a firm rest to steady the hand during operating procedures.
Rests are established by placing the ring finger on a tooth of the same arch and as close to the operating site as
possible. (Modified pen grasp and inverted pen grasp)
Rests are created by placing the tip of the thumb on the tooth being operated on, on an adjacent tooth, or on a
convenient area of the same arch. (Palm-and-thumb grasps)
Occasionally, it is impossible to establish normal finger rests with the hand holding the instrument.
GUARDS
Guards are hand instruments or other items, such as interproximal wedges
Used to protect soft tissue from contact with sharp cutting or abrasive instruments.
NOTES:
Carrier is the instrument used to place amalgam inside a prepared cavity
Rotary is the term given to tooth cutting instruments which turn on an axis to perform the work
ROTARY POWER CUTTING EQUIPMENT
Dental handpieces are powered rotary cutting instruments that are the most commonly used instruments in
contemporary Dentistry.
Air-driven handpieces weigh less than electric handpieces
Advantage of Electric: They are quieter than air-driven handpieces, they cut with high torque with very little
stalling and they maintain high bur concentricity and offer high-precision cutting.
Cutting with electric handpieces is smoother and more like milling. They offer multiple attachments for the
motor that can be used for different cutting applications such as denture adjustments and endodontic
instrumentation.
