{"id":14,"date":"2011-02-03T09:01:31","date_gmt":"2011-02-02T22:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bitemagazine.com.au\/news_blog\/?p=14"},"modified":"2011-02-10T11:30:17","modified_gmt":"2011-02-10T00:30:17","slug":"hu-friedy-exd-1112-calculus-detection-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bitemagazine.com.au\/hu-friedy-exd-1112-calculus-detection-probe\/","title":{"rendered":"Tool Review: Hu-Friedy EXD 11\/12 calculus detection probe"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Some people joke that dentists aren\u2019t good at scaling so they hire hygienists. However, as many dentists don\u2019t employ a hygienist, it\u2019s important for them to be aware of this instrument. A leading American hygienist, Anna Pattinson, came to Australia a few years ago and she recommended this probe. This instrument can help any dentist perform a higher level of scaling by increasing their detection skills.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s good about it<\/strong>
\nWhenever I\u2019m scaling and discover a bleeding area in a well-maintained patient that has good oral hygiene, it can indicate residual calculus below the gum. It\u2019s also very difficult to detect calculus in between the back teeth when it\u2019s below the gumline. This probe is placed under the gum and, with a very light touch, you run the probe up and down the root surface.
\nThe instrument is very fine and it will detect small discrepancies, irregularities or roughness on the root surface. By holding the probe lightly with the fingertips, it gives a better tactile sense. Sometimes it actually works better if the dentist shuts their eyes to increase sensory acuity.
\nIt\u2019s very cheap to buy and quite hardy. Even if you drop it, it won\u2019t break.
\nNow that it\u2019s known that gum disease is related to heart disease and diabetes, I think dentists should strive to reduce bleeding areas in their patients..
\nEvery piece of calculus can represent thousands of bacteria. The last piece of calculus you remove is the most important piece.<\/p>

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