National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

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Get ready for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) with our comprehensive quizzes. Study using multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your dental hygienist exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following is NOT an instrument used in debridement around dental implants?

Plastic resin
Graphite
Stainless steel
Gold-tipped

The correct answer is: Stainless steel

In the context of dental hygiene and the care of dental implants, the choice of instruments used for debridement is crucial to avoid damaging the implant's surface. Stainless steel instruments are typically considered too harsh for this purpose because they can scratch or alter the surface characteristics of the implant. Such scratches can create niches for bacterial colonization, potentially leading to peri-implantitis or other complications. In contrast, plastic resin, graphite, and gold-tipped instruments are specifically designed to be softer and less abrasive. They help effectively remove biofilm and debris without compromising the integrity of the implant surface. These materials are less likely to cause harm, making them the preferred options for debridement around dental implants. This distinction underscores the importance of selecting the right tools for maintaining the health and longevity of dental implants.