Figure 4-1. - Small and large spoon excavators.
Figure 4-2. - Wedelstaedt and biangle chisels.
Figure 4-3. - Hatchet.
at a 45- to 90-degree angle from the shank. These instruments have different lengths and widths of blades. Hatchets are used on the wall of the cavity preparation to cleave enamel and cut dentin so there will be a sharp cavity outline.
Dental hoes (fig. 4-4) look like a miniature garden hoe. They are used with a pulling motion to smooth and shape the floor and sides of cavity preparations. Hoe blades are set at a 45- to 90-degree angle from their handle.
The gingival margin trimmers (GMTs) (fig. 4-5) are modified hatchets that have working ends with opposite curvatures and bevels. As the name implies, GMTs are used to trim, smooth, and shape the gingival floor of a cavity preparation. GMTs are available in double-ended styles and are used in pairs, such as the #26 and #27. This is because the working ends of the even-numbered instruments are designed for use on the distal surfaces, and the odd numbered are used on the mesial surfaces.
AMALGAM RESTORATION INSTRUMENTS The instruments discussed in this section are used when the dentist elects to use an amalgam or a temporary dental material to restore a tooth.
Continue Reading