Which instrument is primarily used to clean out a tooth for cavity preparation?

The primary instrument used to clean out a tooth for cavity preparation is the spoon excavator. This instrument is specifically designed to remove decayed or infected tooth material, allowing the dentist to prepare the cavity for restoration. It has a scoop-like shape that allows it to effectively scoop out soft carious dentin from the cavity, ensuring that only sound tooth structure remains for the filling material.

Using a spoon excavator helps achieve a clean and thorough preparation, which is crucial for the longevity and success of the restoration. This instrument also provides the dentist with a degree of tactile feedback, helping ensure that all decay is removed without damaging the surrounding healthy tooth structure.

Other instruments in the list serve different purposes in dental procedures; for instance, a wedelstaedt chisel is primarily used for shaping and smoothing tooth preparation, the angle former is used to create specific geometrical angles in the cavity preparation, and the gingival margin trimmer is designed to establish proper margins on the cavity preparation near the gum line. While these tools are important in their respective roles, they do not specifically target the removal of decay in the same direct and effective manner as the spoon excavator.