Instrumentation Tips

     Dr. Hanson gave me some great instrumentation tips today in clinic.  I'm going to list them so hopefully I will remember them and if I don't I can read this blog again. 

• When instrumenting the facials of the mandibular anteriors hold the instrument with the V of the hand grasp.  This helps keep the correct angulation and adaptation. 
• When polishing, hold the prophy paste in the palm of my left hand, hold the suction with my left hand and the prophy angle with my right hand.  Use the suction to retract the patient's cheek and keep the saliva off of the prophy angle.  This trick is amazing.  I won't have saliva flying around the prophy angle anymore!
• When instrumenting the mandibular right molars, sit in the 11 o'clock position, cup the patient's chin with my left hand and use the mirror in my left hand to retract the cheek then go to town instrumenting. 
• TOWARDS THE TIP/TOE, TOWARDS THE TOOTH, AND TWIST!!!  I thought I did pretty good at this until Dr. Hanson was watching me today.  I think if I can remember to do this better I will be more effective in instrumenting. 

     Overall today was a great day.  Both of my patients showed up which is a miracle compared to what has happened to me earlier in the semester.  My morning patient gave me a lot of compliments about how gentle and delicate I am.  That made me feel really good.  I love getting compliments from patients.