2-12. INSTRUMENTS USED IN FILLING PREPARED CAVITIES
a. Spatula (SPATULA, DENTAL).
(1) Cement spatulas (figure 2-14). Cement spatula Number 324 is used to
mix and handle cements. Stainless steel spatulas are used to mix various dental
cements and IRM, but not with silicate cements. The plastic spatula should be used for
silicate cements.
Figure 2-14. Stainless steel spatula.
(2) Wax spatulas (figure 2-15). Wax spatulas, Beale Number 7 and Gritman
Number 31, when heated, are used for the manipulation of wax.
Figure 2-15. Wax spatulas.
b. Cement Placing and Plugging Instruments (PLUGGER, PLASTIC FILLING,
DENTAL). These placing and plugging instruments (figure 2-16) are used to carry and
pack cement into place in the prepared cavity. Stainless steel pluggers, such as Gregg
Numbers 2 and 3 and Ladmore and Woodson Numbers. 1, 2, and 3 are used with any
cement except silicate cement. The chrome-cobalt stellite instruments numbers 1-2 and
numbers 5-7 are used with various dental cements, including silicate cement. The
instrument used will depend on the dental officer's preference.
MD0503
2-15