Explorer on Buccal Surfaces of Sextant 1 on Typodont

The correct end of the ODU 11/12 explorer can be determined by first placing the lower shank parallel to the long axis of the tooth.  If the end of the explorer wraps around the mesial surface and doesn’t wrap around the distal surface, you have the correct end.  On the buccal aspect of sextant #1, a palm up fulcrum is established.  Always start on the most posterior tooth and explore towards the anterior moving from distal to buccal to mesial surfaces.  Place the tip of the explorer just mesial to the distal buccal line angle and with a vertical stroke move into the interproximal area going from the base of the pocket up to the contact.  Next place the tip of the explorer just distal to the distal buccal line angle and with an oblique stroke explore the buccal surface. Continue into the mesial surface with a vertical stroke exploring from the base of the pocket up to the contact. Do not flip the instrument when moving from tooth to tooth while exploring the entire buccal aspect of sextant #1.

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