Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XI · Instrumentation · 02

Instrument design

Every hand instrument has a handle, a shank and a working end; the terminal shank is the section nearest the working end. Wide, light, textured handles reduce pinch force. Straight shanks suit anterior teeth and angled shanks reach posteriors. Rigid shanks remove heavy calculus, flexible ones transmit vibration, and a lower shank parallel to the surface identifies the correct working end.

High-yield facts · 5

  1. Instrument parts: handle, shank and working end; the terminal (lower) shank is the part nearest the working end.T3
  2. Larger, lighter, textured handles reduce pinch force and fatigue.T3
  3. Simple (straight) shanks are for anterior teeth; complex (angled) shanks reach posterior teeth.T3
  4. Rigid shanks remove heavy calculus; flexible shanks give better tactile sense (explorers).T3
  5. Working-end identification: for curettes and sickles, the lower shank parallel to the surface means the correct working end and cutting edge.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.