Comparison Table for Dental Explorers
Item | Brand | Handle Material | Handle Shape | Handle Type | Manufacturer Name | Package Quantity | Tip Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Explorers – #2 Pigtail, Double End – Standard Handle | American Eagle Instruments Inc. | Stainless Steel | Round | Standard | American Eagle Instruments | 1/Pkg | Cowhorn |
2. Explorers – #3, Single End | J&J Instruments Inc. | Stainless Steel | Round | Standard | J&J Instruments Inc. | 1/Pkg | N/A |
3. Explorer – 6L, 9 mm, Single End – 6 Satin Steel Handle | Hu-Friedy | Duraspond Steel, Satin Steel | Round | 6 Satin Steel | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | 1/Pkg | N/A |
4. Explorer – 3CH, Cowhorn, Double End – 7 Satin Steel Colours Handle | Hu-Friedy | Satin Steel | Round | 7 Satin Steel Colours | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | 1/Pkg | Cowhorn |
5. Explorer – #5, Double End – Round Handle | Premier USA | Stainless Steel | Round | Light Touch Round | Premier Dental Products | 1/Pkg | N/A |
6. Explorers – #23, Single End – DuraLite® Round Handle | Nordent | Stainless Steel | Round | DuraLite® Round | Nordent Mfg Inc. | 1/Pkg | N/A |
7. Explorer – 23, Shepherd’s Hook, Single End – 30 Round Handle | Hu-Friedy | Duraspond Steel | Round | 30 Round | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | 1/Pkg | Shepherd Hook |
8. Satin Steel® XTS® Explorers – #5, #6 Satin Steel® Handle, Double End | Hu-Friedy | Satin Steel | Round | #5, #6 Satin Steel® Handle | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | N/A | N/A |
9. Explorers – 3ES, Standard Handle, Double End | N/A | Stainless Steel | Round | Standard | American Eagle Instruments | N/A | Orban, Shepherd Hook |
10. Patterson® Explorers – 23, Standard Handle, Single End | Patterson® | N/A | Round | Standard | Patterson Dental Supply | 1/Pkg | Shepherd Hook |
Explorers are diagnostic instruments used in the detection of caries (decay) and calculus, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Top 10 Explorer & Probe Kits in Dentistry
1. Explorers – #2 Pigtail, Double End – Standard Handle

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American Eagle Instruments Inc. Explorers are diagnostic instruments used in the detection of caries (decay) and calculus, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Design Number: 2
Handle Diameter: 7/32″
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: American Eagle Instruments
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Type: Cowhorn
2. Explorers – # 3, Single End

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Explorers are used to examine teeth for caries and calculus detection, explore furcations, restorations and pocket characteristics.
- Sharp, malleable and durable tips
- Steel hardened to consistent and exacting standards to ensure tactile sensitivity
- Lightweight, comfortable and sturdy handles
Design Number: 3
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: J&J Instruments Inc.
Number of Ends: Single
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Material: Steel
3. Explorer – 6L, 9 mm, Single End – 6 Satin Steel Handle

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Explorers are a type of sickle probe dentists use to look for caries and calculus detection, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Brand: Hu-Friedy
Design Number: 6L
Handle Diameter: 9 mm
Handle Material: Duraspond Steel, Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 6 Satin Steel
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Number of Ends: Single
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
4. Explorer – 3CH, Cowhorn, Double End – 7 Satin Steel Colours Handle

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Explorers are a type of sickle probe dentists use to look for caries and calculus detection, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Brand: Hu-Friedy
Design Number: 3CH
Handle Material: Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 7 Satin Steel Colours
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Type: Cowhorn
5. Explorer – #5, Double End – Round Handle

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Combination of #17 end for subgingival calculus detection and #23 end for caries detection.
Brand: Premier USA
Design Number: 5
Handle Diameter: 7/32″
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Light Touch Round
Manufacturer Name: Premier Dental Products
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
6. Explorers – # 23, Single End – DuraLite® Round Handle

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Explorer is used to examine teeth for decay (caries), calculus and other abnormalities.
- Thin, flexible tip that tapers to a sharp point
- Made from spring-tempered stainless steel and machine ground to exacting tolerances
- Hand-sharpened and formed into its final shape by expert craftsmen
Brand: Nordent
Design Number: 23
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: DuraLite® Round
Manufacturer Name: Nordent Mfg Inc.
Number of Ends: Single
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Material: Stainless Steel
7. Explorer – 23, Shepherd’s Hook, Single End – 30 Round Handle

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Explorers are a type of sickle probe dentists use to look for caries and calculus detection, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Brand: Hu-Friedy
Design Number: 23
Handle Material: Duraspond Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 30 Round
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Number of Ends: Single
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
8. Satin Steel® XTS® Explorers – # 5, # 6 Satin Steel® Handle, Double End

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Satin Steel® XTS® Explorers feature a nonstick aluminum titanium nitride coating and are perfect for contouring dental anatomy during composite restorations. The dark coating also improves contrast between tooth and instrument tip.
Brand: Hu-Friedy
Design Number: 5
Handle Material: Duraspond Steel, Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 6 Satin Steel
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Type: Orban, Shepherd Hook
9. Explorers – 3ES, Standard Handle, Double End

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merican Eagle Instruments Inc. Explorers are diagnostic instruments used in the detection of caries (decay) and calculus, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Design Number: 3ES
Handle Diameter: 7/32″
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: American Eagle Instruments
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
10. Patterson® Explorers – 23, Standard Handle, Single End

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Explorers are a type of sickle probe dentists use to look for caries and calculus detection, exploration of pocket characteristics, furcations and restorations.
Brand: Patterson®
Design Number: 23
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: Patterson Dental Supply
Number of Ends: Single
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Tip Type: Shepherd Hook