Personal protective equipment: gloves
The clinician is required to use barrier methods to prevent the transmission of infections. The main element is medical gloves. According to their intended use, they are divided into surgical (made of rubber cement or durable latex) and anatomical.
Among disposable products, the most in-demand are:
- Latex: excellent tactile sensitivity, protects against weak acids.
- Nitrile: hypoallergenic, thermoelastic, superior to alternatives in puncture resistance.
- Vinyl: free of latex proteins, easy to don, and used for diagnostics.
- Polyethylene: used exclusively for technical procedures.
In outpatient practice, film-forming solutions such as liquid serigel are sometimes used as an alternative. When the risk of infection is high (HIV, hepatitis), reusable spectrum fiber chainmail gloves are indicated.
Processing of reusable gloves
Reusable surgical gloves are subject to rigorous cleaning and sterilization. They are pre-washed to remove blood, then soaked in disinfectant solutions (chlorhexidine, chloramine B, Biolot). After drying, the products are dusted with starch-based powder, each glove is wrapped in gauze, and placed in a sterilization drum (bix).
Sterilization is carried out by autoclaving (110 °C for 45 minutes) or cold chemical processing (e.g., 6% hydrogen peroxide). Autoclaving is permitted no more than 3–4 times. In case of accidental integrity breach, the glove must be replaced immediately, and hands treated with a 0.5% alcohol solution of chlorhexidine. In case of contact with tetanus pathogens, the items must be destroyed.
Masks, face shields, and goggles
To protect the clinician's respiratory tract and prevent contamination of the operational field, masks made of hypoallergenic non-woven material are used. A built-in wire nosepiece ensures the best fit. Polypropylene respirators can serve as an alternative.
Goggles or face shields protect the eye mucosa from aggressive fluids and traumatic particles. Classification of protective goggles:
- By fit: tight-fitting (open or closed type) and non-tight-fitting (lorgnettes, visors).
- By ventilation type (for closed models): with direct or indirect ventilation.
When using polymerization curing lights or lasers, the retina is protected by glasses with special orange or dark light filters.
Basic diagnostic instruments
A standard set of instruments, placed in a medical tray (most often kidney-shaped made of stainless steel), is used to examine the dental system.
- Diagnostic mirror. Allows visualization of inaccessible areas, retraction of soft tissues, and intraoral photography. The design includes a handle (smooth, faceted, or ribbed) and a mirror surface. The diameter of a round mirror varies from 3 to 25 mm, and magnification reaches up to 30%. Some models are equipped with a millimeter scale to assess disocclusion. Demountable instruments are more practical as they allow components to be sterilized separately.
- Diagnostic forceps. A curved or straight instrument. Used to assess tooth mobility, as well as for precise placement and removal of cotton rolls and articulation paper.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What instruments are included in the basic dental diagnostic kit?
The basic dental diagnostic kit (the mandatory "dental triad") includes three main instruments.
- Mirror — used for examining hard-to-reach areas, soft tissue retraction, and additional illumination.
- Explorer — used to examine fissures, carious cavities, and root canal orifices.
- Pliers (tweezers) — designed for placing and removing auxiliary accessories, as well as assessing tooth mobility.
Additionally, the sterile examination tray may include a spatula for retracting the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
What types of dental explorers are used for dental examination?
Several types of dental explorers, differing in shape and purpose, are used to examine teeth and surrounding tissues.
- Sharp-pointed explorer — detects carious cavities, assesses the condition of fissures, checks for exposure of the pulp chamber, and identifies the topography of root canal orifices.
- Straight (bayonet) and angled explorers — used taking into account the nature and location of the carious cavity.
- Hook-shaped explorer — used to evaluate the marginal adaptation of crowns.
- Sickle explorer — used for probing root furcations.
- Ball-ended periodontal probe — measures periodontal pocket depth, the degree of root exposure, and the level of gingival recession.
- Probe with a ball tip (ball-ended probe) — used to examine fistulous tracts.
- Baumann probe — designed for probing salivary gland ducts.
Which instruments are used for placing and condensing filling material?
The following instruments are used for placing and contouring filling material:
- Plastic filling instrument (carver/plugger) — used to place material into the carious cavity and contour it.
- Spatula — used for placing filling material.
- Condenser (plugger) — used for condensing and shaping the material.
- Tightly rolled cotton pellet — can be used when shaping temporary filling material.
Which instruments are used for scaling?
A wide range of manual and rotary instruments is used for mechanical removal of dental deposits.
- Scaler (scaler) — has a sharp tip, used exclusively for removing supragingival calculus.
- Curette — has a rounded tip, used for removing subgingival deposits. They are divided into universal (two cutting edges) and area-specific (one cutting edge, e.g., Gracey curettes, Vision).
- Chisel, file, hoe — instruments with a specific working end design.
For final polishing of tooth surfaces, brushes, rubber and silicone heads, cups, polishing discs, and strips are used.
To remember glove properties: Latex — Sensitivity, Nitrile — Strength, Vinyl — Hypoallergenicity, Polyethylene — Technical tasks.
Class and exam questions
What is the difference between Type A and Type B surgical gloves?
Type A products are made of rubber adhesive, and Type B products are made of a latex mixture, which makes them more durable and resistant to mechanical stress.
Why is a millimeter scale added to the handle of a dental mirror?
The ruler is essential for quick and accurate measurement of sagittal and vertical incisor disocclusion right during the examination.
What are the limitations for autoclaving reusable gloves?
They can be autoclaved for no more than 3–4 cycles at a pressure of 1 atm and a temperature of 110 °C. Exceeding this limit causes the rubber to lose its elasticity and strength.
How to protect your eyes when working with curing lights?
Specialized closed or open safety glasses with orange filters must be used to protect the retina from intense radiation.
What else to study on this topic
- Algorithm for pre-sterilization cleaning of reusable surgical gloves
- Cold chemical sterilization modes for dental instruments
- Specifics of using film-forming agents in outpatient practice
- Design features and marking of the cuff part of surgical gloves
- Ergonomics of dental mirror handles and its impact on manual control
Master the entire topic in the «Propaedeutics of Dentistry» course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on the topic "Dental Instruments" and 868 more pages of the subject
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 65 video lessons on the subject
Other topics in «Chapter 3. Dental Instruments»
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.