Sklar Merit Explorer #5, Double Ended, Octagonal
A double ended #5 pattern explorer with an octagonal handle, used to probe tooth surfaces for decay, calculus and restoration defects.
The Sklar Merit Explorer #5 is a diagnostic dental instrument with two working tips of the #5 pattern on a single handle, used to examine tooth surfaces for decay, calculus and defective margins around existing fillings or crowns. The handle is octagonal in cross section, which helps the operator maintain a consistent grip and orientation of the tip during use, reducing the chance of the instrument rolling in the hand while working within the confined space of the mouth.
Explorers of this kind are used at nearly every dental examination, from routine check ups to detailed restorative and periodontal assessments, and are among the most frequently used tools in a general dental practice. The fine, pointed tips let the clinician detect subtle surface irregularities that indicate early decay or a failing restoration margin before the problem becomes visible on an x-ray or to the naked eye.
Made from stainless steel, the explorer holds its point through repeated use and standard autoclave sterilisation. It is a routine item in diagnostic dental trays across clinics and hospital dental departments.
