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Spoon excavator
Also called: excavator, spoon
A small spoon-shaped blade that scoops soft decay out of a tooth.
A spoon excavator has a tiny round or oval cup on a bent shank. The dentist uses it to scoop out soft decay and debris from a preparation. It is also handy for removing temporary crowns and cement.
How to spot it
- A tiny spoon (cup) on the end, with a sharp rim; usually double-ended.
- Spoon excavator vs. curette: the excavator cup is round like a spoon, with no long blade.
What it is used for
- Removing soft caries during fillings; removing temporary cement.
Safety and care
- Semicritical item (it touches the inside of the mouth): clean it, package it and heat-sterilize it after every patient.
- Sharp working end: carry it point-down in a closed cassette, and never reach blindly into a pile of instruments.
Related
Sources: Mt. Hood Community College. Restorative Dentistry (open Pressbooks text): "Placing Amalgam Restorations" and "Amalgam Set Up.", CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)