Expros are double-sided diagnostic instruments with an explorer tip at one end and a probe tip at the other used for dental examinations and charting.
Comparison Table 1: Comparison of Numbers Available in Top 10 Dental Explorers
| Design Number | Manufacturer | Price ($) | Measurement Markings | Package Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/OW | Paradise Dental Technology | $25.29 | 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10 | 1/Pkg |
| TU17/UNC-15 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | $56.49 | 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15 | 1/Pkg |
| 23/OW6 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | $64.79 | 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10 | 1/Pkg |
| 23/SD12 | American Eagle Instruments | $51.99 | 3-6-9-12 | 1/Pkg |
| 23/QW | Patterson Dental Supply | $57.99 | 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10 | 1/Pkg |
| 23 | J&J Instruments Inc. | $49.99 | N/A | 1/Pkg |
| N12/23 | Nordent Mfg Inc. | $109.99 | 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 | 1/Pkg |
| 23/UNC-12 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | $61.29 | 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 | 1/Pkg |
| 23/CP-12 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | $69.79 | 3-6-9-12 | 1/Pkg |
| TU17 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | $53.29 | N/A | 1/Pkg |
Comparison Table 2: Comparison of Most Important Features of Top 10 Dental Expros
| Design Number | Manufacturer | Number of Ends | Probe Tip Type | Explorer Tip Type | Handle Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/OW | Paradise Dental Technology | Double | Thin Williams | Shepherd Hook | Resin |
| TU17/UNC-15 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | Double | University of NC | Wilkins/Tufts | N/A |
| 23/OW6 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | Double | Thin Williams | Shepherd Hook | Satin Steel |
| 23/SD12 | American Eagle Instruments | Double | South Dakota | Shepherd Hook | Stainless Steel |
| 23/QW | Patterson Dental Supply | Double | Goldman-Fox | Shepherd Hook | N/A |
| 23 | J&J Instruments Inc. | Double | Williams | Shepherd Hook | N/A |
| N12/23 | Nordent Mfg Inc. | Double | University of NC | Shepherd Hook | N/A |
| 23/UNC-12 | Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc. | Double | University of |
Top 10 Explorer & Probe Kits in Dentistry
1. Explorer # 23/Probe # OW – Blue, Resin Handle, Double End
Explorer/Probe combination instruments have a probe point on one end and an explorer point on the other end. Eliminates the need for two instruments; one end can be used for examination while the other end can be used to measure pocket depths.
- Durable thin spring steel tips provide convenient interproximal access
- Solid ultralight resin handle that allows for ultimate tactile sensitivity
- Tensile strength and flexibility is maintained, giving the practitioner better feel for decay and tooth irregularities
Design Number: 23/OW
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: Paradise Dental Technology
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: Williams
2. TU17/UNC15, 31 Round Handle, Double End
The Hu-Friedy double-end instruments have a probe on one end and an explorer on the other, making them excellent for dental examinations and charting.
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: TU17/UNC-15
Explorer Tip Type: Wilkins/Tufts
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 31 Round
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: University of North Carolina
3. 23/OW Thin, Double End – 6 Satin Steel Handle
The Hu-Friedy double-end instruments have a probe on one end and an explorer on the other, making them excellent for dental examinations and charting.
Design Number: 23/OW
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Material: Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 6 Satin Steel
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10
Number of Ends: Double
Old Manufacturer #: XP23/OW6 – DUP
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: Thin Williams
4. #23/South Dakota 12, Yellow, Standard Handle, Double End
Explorers/Probes are a double-ended instrument with an explorer on one end and a probe on the other used for dental examinations and charting.
- Probe markings: 3, 6, 9, 12 mm
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: 23/SD12
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Diameter: 7/32″
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: American Eagle Instruments
Measurement Markings: 3-6-9-12
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: South Dakota
5. Patterson® 23/QW, Standard Handle, Double End
Explorer/Probes XP are double-ended dental instruments with an explorer on one end and a probe on the other used for dental examinations and charting.
Design Number: 23/QW
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: Patterson Dental Supply
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: Goldman-Fox
6. Expro 23/Williams Periodontal Probe
Design Number: 23
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: Standard
Manufacturer Name: J&J Instruments Inc.
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: Williams
7. DuraLite® Round Handle, Double End
Expro Probe/Explorer combines a probe tip with a # 23 Shepherd’s Hook explorer tip for a single, easy-to-use instrument. The University of North Carolina probe tip has color-coded measurement markings at each millimeter from 1 to 12.
- Probe tip has precisely cut millimeter measurements
- Explorer tip is hand-sharpened to a point
- Made from spring-tempered stainless steel and machine ground to exacting tolerances
- All tips are formed by hand into their final shape by expert craftsmen
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: N12/23
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: DuraLite® Round
Manufacturer Name: Nordent Mfg Inc.
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: University of North Carolina
8. 23/UNC12, Double End – 6 Satin Steel Handle
The Hu-Friedy double-end instruments have a probe on one end and an explorer on the other, making them excellent for dental examinations and charting.
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: 23/UNC-12
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Material: Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 6 Satin Steel
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Measurement Markings: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
Probe Tip Type: University of North Carolina
9. Color Coded 23/CP-12, Double End
The Hu-Friedy double-end instruments have a probe on one end and an explorer on the other, making them excellent for dental examinations and charting.
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: 23/CP-12
Explorer Tip Type: Shepherd Hook
Handle Material: Satin Steel
Handle Shape: Round
Handle Type: 7 Satin Steel Colours
Manufacturer Name: Hu-Friedy Mfg Co. Inc.
Measurement Markings: 3-6-9-12
Number of Ends: Double
Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
10. Colorvue™ Expro – TU17
Probe Handle used with probe tip to assess periodontal pocket depths, attachment levels, anatomy configurations and gingival bleeding. Colorvue™ PerioScreen tips are sold separately.
Color Coding: Color Coded
Design Number: TU17
Explorer Tip Type: Wilkins/Tufts
Handle Material: 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
