HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

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Enhance your HOSA Dental Terminology knowledge with our quiz. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, all with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam preparation!

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Which instrument is utilized to determine the vitality of pulp?

Endo file
Pulp tester
Periodontal scaler
Bone file

The correct answer is: Pulp tester

The instrument that is specifically designed to assess the vitality of the dental pulp is the pulp tester. This tool evaluates the response of the pulp to stimuli, such as heat or electric current, helping to determine whether the pulp is alive (vital) or not (non-vital). The pulp tester typically uses electric stimulation to elicit a response from the nerve fibers within the pulp, providing valuable information regarding the health of the tooth. In contrast, endo files are used primarily in root canal procedures to shape and clean the root canals, while a periodontal scaler is employed to remove plaque and calculus from the surfaces of the teeth, particularly around the gumline. A bone file is designed for smoothing bone surfaces during surgical procedures. None of these instruments serve the specific purpose of evaluating pulp vitality like the pulp tester does.