c. Required Set 0f Motions. To obtain maximum strength and control from
scaling strokes, a specific set of motions are performed to activate the blade of the
instrument.
(1)
Grasp the instrument using a modified pen grasp.
(2)
Establish a finger rest on an adjacent tooth.
(3)
Rotate your wrist as you would in turning a door knob.
(4)
Wrist and arm are used for strength, not the fingers.
d. The Scaling Process. Let's go back now and put the steps of the scaling
process together.
(1)
Pick up the instrument and hold it using the modified pen grasp.
(2)
Practice rolling the instrument between the thumb and forefinger.
(3)
Select the tooth to be scaled and establish a finger rest.
(4) Place the tip of the instrument beneath the deposit to be scaled. Be
sure the tip of the instrument remains in contact with the tooth surface at all times.
(5) Tighten grasp slightly and apply lateral pressure against the tooth
surface with the cutting edge.
(6) Activate the instrument using rotary motion activation. Move the
instrument in a coronal direction, always leading with the tip.
(7)
As deposits are removed, readapt the instrument and reactivate.
3-10. SCALING SEQUENCES
In scaling and polishing a patient's teeth, the PDS should follow a sequence of
steps. This sequence of steps will enable the PDS to know what sections of the mouth
have been scaled and polished. This sequence will also prevent overlooking the scaling
or polishing of any teeth and unintentional rescaling or repolishing of teeth. One
sequence often used is to work in the same order that teeth are numbered. For
example, the first surfaces scaled are the facial and proximal surfaces of the maxillary
right posterior teeth, beginning with the third molar (tooth number one). This is followed by
the lingual surfaces of the same teeth. Then, the maxillary anterior, the maxillary left
posterior, the mandibular left posterior, the mandibular anterior, and the mandibular
right posterior teeth are done in turn. In each group, scaling of the facial and proximal
surfaces is followed by scaling of the lingual surfaces. When scaling is completed, the
teeth are polished in the same sequence.
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