Fighting Fear at the Dentist: What’s a Sickle Probe and How Do Dentists Use it?
By Greenwood Local Dentistry in
Blog
15/08/2024
Having trouble with dental anxiety? You’re not alone! Many Americans are afraid of visiting the dentist in 37206. In fact, a 2017 study found that, out of 300 individuals, 19% of them had high levels of dental anxiety.
These negative feelings, like discomfort and pain, keep patients from getting the routine dental care they need, leaving unnoticed issues in their mouths to worsen. Truthfully, being unfamiliar with how dental tools work doesn’t make it easy.
The sharp points dental scalers and sickle probes they use look like they’re out of a ’60s slasher horror movie! However, it’s easier to stop fearing something if you understand it. Let’s help you understand more about a sickle probe and how dentists use it so you can gain access to the dental care you need.
What’s a Sickle Probe and How Do Dentists Use it?
Dental explorers, also known as sickle probes, are frequently used tools in the dental arsenal. They are designed with a sharp tip to improve tactile perception. Sickle probes are used to examine the pockets between the teeth, investigate visible cavities, and remove plaque and tartar.
This may sound terrifying, but sickle probes actually cause minimal discomfort. In fact, some patients note that it’s unnoticeable. Although it won’t feel pleasant, the sickle probe doesn’t hurt.
What Are Sickle Probes Used for?
The sickle probe is used to find dental problems like cavities. Sometimes, decay can be difficult to diagnose without tactile verification. Before the modern, advanced dental tools, the sickle probe was the only way to reliably detect tooth decay.
Nowadays, dental professionals can detect decay using radiographs and other tools, such as laser fluorescence measurement, in addition to the sickle probe. All of this enables the dentist to determine the final diagnosis of tooth decay. Even though the dental scaler is made expressly for this purpose, it can also be used to remove plaque and tartar from between teeth.
What Kind of Sickle Probe Do Dentists Use?
The sickle probe comes in various sizes and forms. Still, its basic form is a metal stick with variously shaped hooks at the end. Dentists usually use sickle probes to analyze the surface of the teeth for hardness.
Though there are other kinds of explorers, the No. 23 explorer, sometimes referred to as a “shepherd’s hook,” is the most widely used kind. Other types that are helpful for the spaces between teeth that are in close proximity to one another are the 3CH (also called “cow-horn” or “pigtail”) and No. 17 explorers.
Overcome Your Dental Anxiety with a Dentist in 37206
Preventative care is one of the most important practices in dentistry. However, dental anxiety is the primary reason for many people skipping their dental appointments. This, of course, has adverse effects on their dental health, as it leaves their dental issues unnoticed for longer, leaving them to grow and fester.
Arming yourself with information can be one of the best ways to combat anxiety. And if you still need personal support, Greenwood Local Dentistry and Orthodontics is well-equipped to help. Reach out and communicate your worries with us!