Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XI · Instrumentation · 03

Grasp and fulcrum

In the modified pen grasp, the thumb and index finger pads oppose each other on the handle, the side of the middle finger pad rests on the shank to feel vibration, and the ring finger is the fulcrum. Fulcrums may be intraoral, cross-arch, opposite-arch, finger-on-finger or extraoral; a stable one prevents slips and powers wrist-rocking strokes.

High-yield facts · 5

  1. Modified pen grasp: thumb and index finger pads opposite each other on the handle, the side of the middle finger pad on the shank, ring finger as the fulcrum.T3
  2. The middle finger feels vibrations (tactile sense) through the shank.T3
  3. Fulcrum types: intraoral (same arch, near the tooth), cross-arch, opposite arch, finger-on-finger, and extraoral (palm up or palm down).T3
  4. Extraoral fulcrums help reach deep maxillary molar pockets.T3
  5. The fulcrum is the pivot for wrist-rocking activation; stable fulcrums prevent slips.T3

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.