3-13. SEQUENCE OF PROCEDURE
a. Maxillary Right Posterior. In scaling the facial and proximal surfaces of
maxillary right posterior teeth, the PDS is usually at the 9 o'clock position in relation to
the patient. See figure 3-12. The fingers rest on the lingual surfaces of these teeth. In
scaling the lingual surfaces of the maxillary right posterior teeth, the PDS is to the right
of the patient at the 9 o'clock position, and uses a mouth mirror for light and vision. The
fingers rest on the occlusal surfaces of adjacent teeth.
b. Maxillary Anterior. For the maxillary anterior teeth, the PDS is behind the
patient at the l2 o'clock position, when scaling the facial, proximal, and lingual surfaces,
sides away from the PDS. See figure 3-13. The PDS is at the 8 o'clock position to the
patient, when scaling the facial, proximal, and lingual surfaces, sides toward the PDS.
See figure 3-14. The fingers rest on the linguoincisal edges of adjacent teeth. In
scaling the lingual surfaces, the PDS needs to use a mouth mirror for light and vision.
c. Maxillary Left Posterior. In scaling the facial and proximal surfaces of
maxillary left posterior teeth, the PDS is usually at the 9 o'clock position in relation to the
patient. See figure 3-12. The fingers rest on the occlusal surfaces of these teeth. In
scaling the lingual surfaces of these teeth, the PDS is to the right of the patient at the
9 o'clock position, and uses a mouth mirror. The fingers rest on the facial or occlusal
surfaces of the maxillary teeth.
d. Mandibular Left Posterior. In scaling the facial, lingual, and proximal
surfaces of mandibular posterior teeth, the PDS is usually to the right of the patient at
the 9 o'clock position. See figure 3-15. The fingers rest on the occlusal surfaces of
adjacent teeth. In scaling the lingual surfaces of these teeth, the PDS is usually at the
9 o'clock position. The fingers rest on the occlusal surfaces of these teeth. A mouth
mirror is needed for tongue retraction, but not for light and vision.
e. Mandibular Anterior. For the mandibular anterior teeth, the PDS is behind
the patient at the 12 o'clock position, when scaling the facial, proximal, and lingual
surfaces, sides away from the PDS. See figure 3-16. The fingers rest on the facial
surfaces of these teeth. The PDS is to the right of the patient at the 8 o'clock position,
when scaling the facial, proximal, and lingual surfaces, sides toward the PDS. See
figure 3-17. The fingers rest on the lingual surfaces of these teeth. In scaling the
lingual surfaces, the PDS needs to use a mouth mirror for light and vision.
f. Mandibular Right Posterior. In scaling the facial, proximal, and lingual
surfaces of mandibular right posterior teeth, the PDS is at the 9 o'clock position to the
right of the patient. See figure 3-15. The fingers rest on the occlusal surfaces of these
teeth. In scaling the lingual surfaces, the PDS needs to use a mouth mirror.
MD0513
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