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DG16 Explorer - Fortec
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DG16 Explorer

$19.79

DG16 Explorer

$19.79

In stock 76 Products

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DG16/23 Explorer - Fortec
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DG16/23 Explorer

$19.79

DG16/23 Explorer

$19.79

In stock 55 Products

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Fortec Dental Instruments • Dental Explorers

Dental Explorers – Precise, Sharp & Reliable Tools for Canal Detection & Surface Evaluation

At Fortec International, our Dental Explorers are specialist diagnostic instruments engineered for the exact demands of dental procedures. Designed to locate canal orifices, detect surface irregularities, and evaluate restorations in tight, hard-to-reach areas — these tools deliver exceptional tactile feedback where standard explorers cannot reach. Crafted from medical-grade stainless steel using advanced forging and hand-finished craftsmanship — CE, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and FDA certified, trusted by dental professionals across Canada.

Why Choose Fortec Dental Explorers

Dental procedures demand instruments that can navigate confined spaces with precision. Fortec dental explorers are purpose-built with fine, angled tips that access canal orifices, tight interproximal areas, and sub-gingival surfaces that standard explorers cannot comfortably reach — giving clinicians the confidence to detect what X-rays may miss.

  • Fine, angled working tips specifically designed to locate canal orifices and explore tight dental access areas.
  • Superior tactile feedback — rigid yet sensitive design transmits subtle surface details directly to the fingertips.
  • Ergonomic, non-slip handle providing comfort and precise control throughout detailed dental examinations.
  • High resistance to corrosion and bending — maintains shape and sharpness even after repeated autoclave sterilization.
  • Individually packed to maintain hygiene and quality from warehouse to clinic.

Equip Your Dental Setup with Tools Built for Precision

When the procedure demands accuracy in the most confined spaces, trust Fortec Dental Explorers — precisely tipped, ergonomically balanced, and built to perform procedure after procedure. Relied on by dental professionals across Canada who require consistent sharpness and tactile clarity in every dental examination.

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FAQ – Dental Explorers | Fortec Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Fortec's endodontic dental explorers — models, tip designs, clinical uses, and care.

Fortec carries 2 dental explorer models in its Endodontics collection, both at the same price:

DG16 Explorer — $21.99
DG16/23 Explorer — $21.99

Both are double-ended instruments crafted from medical-grade stainless steel, forged and hand-finished for exceptional tactile sensitivity and reliable daily performance. Both models are in stock and available for immediate order across Canada. Note that Fortec also offers a broader range of single-ended explorers and Expros (explorer-probe hybrids) in its Diagnostic collection for general examination and caries detection.
The DG16 tip is a fine, sharply curved explorer tip with a long, angled shank specifically engineered to locate and negotiate root canal orifices in the pulp chamber. Unlike standard shepherd's hook or cowhorn explorer tips used for coronal caries detection, the DG16's distinctive geometry allows the clinician to sweep across the pulp chamber floor and drop precisely into canal orifices — even calcified, narrow, or accessory canals that may be difficult to locate visually. The tip transmits clear tactile feedback the moment it catches on a canal orifice, making it the go-to instrument for initial canal location, orifice identification, and confirmation of access cavity preparation during root canal treatment. Its design is particularly valuable in molar teeth with multiple canals and in cases where calcification has altered normal canal anatomy.
The DG16 Explorer ($21.99) is a double-ended instrument with a DG16 tip on both ends — the same tip geometry mirrored on each side of the handle. This symmetrical configuration makes it the dedicated specialist tool for endodontic access and canal location: both working ends are optimised purely for sweeping the pulp chamber floor to detect canal orifices, making it ideal for clinicians who perform high volumes of root canal treatment and want a single-purpose, uncompromising endodontic explorer on every tray. The dual DG16 design means the clinician can use either end without repositioning, maintaining efficient workflow throughout access preparation. It is best suited to endodontists, general dentists who perform frequent RCT, and dental schools training students in endodontic technique.
The DG16/23 Explorer ($21.99) is a double-ended instrument that pairs a DG16 endodontic tip on one end with a No. 23 shepherd's hook tip on the other. This combination makes it the most versatile explorer in Fortec's Endodontics range — the DG16 end handles canal orifice location and endodontic access work, while the No. 23 end provides supragingival caries detection, occlusal surface examination, and checking restoration margins. For general dentists who perform root canal treatment alongside routine restorative and preventive care, the DG16/23 is the single instrument that covers both endodontic diagnosis and general coronal examination, eliminating the need to switch instruments when transitioning between endodontic and restorative tasks during the same appointment. It is the preferred choice for mixed-procedure practices wanting to keep tray set-ups lean and efficient.
The right choice depends on your clinical workflow and case mix:

Choose the DG16 if your practice is endodontic-focused or you perform root canal treatment at high volume and want a dedicated, purpose-built endodontic explorer on every RCT tray. Having the same DG16 tip on both ends maximises endodontic efficiency and ensures the instrument is always oriented correctly for canal location without any confusion.

Choose the DG16/23 if you are a general dentist who performs root canal treatment alongside routine restorative, preventive, or diagnostic work. The No. 23 end means you can complete a full coronal examination on the same instrument before or after endodontic access — reducing the total number of instruments on the tray and simplifying cassette management. At the same $21.99 price point, the DG16/23 offers broader clinical utility for most general practitioners.
The key difference is the tip design and its intended clinical task. Fortec's Standard Double-Ended Explorers (Diagnostic collection, $9.35–$18.69) carry tip geometries — shepherd's hooks, cowhorns, and curved shanks — designed for supragingival and subgingival caries detection, calculus identification, restoration margin evaluation, and periodontal assessment around the coronal and cervical areas of teeth. The Endodontic Explorers (DG16, DG16/23) carry the specialist DG16 tip, whose elongated curved geometry is designed specifically to enter the pulp chamber and locate root canal orifices on the pulp floor — a task no standard shepherd's hook or cowhorn tip can perform effectively due to insufficient shank length and incorrect angulation. Choose standard explorers for routine examination and periodontal assessment; choose endodontic explorers when performing root canal treatment or endodontic diagnosis.
Yes — the DG16 tip excels in detecting calcified, partially obliterated, and accessory canals that may be difficult to locate visually through the microscope or loupe alone. By systematically sweeping the pulp chamber floor with firm yet controlled pressure, the fine DG16 tip will catch on the slightly softer dentin at a canal orifice entrance — even when calcification has narrowed or obscured it — providing a distinct tactile sensation that guides initial file placement. This makes the DG16 explorer an essential first step before NiTi rotary instrumentation, particularly in older patients where tertiary dentine deposition and pulp chamber calcification are more prevalent, and in re-treatment cases where the previous obturation may have been placed off-angle into a partially negotiated canal. Fortec instruments are engineered so that the rigid, fine tip design transmits these subtle tactile signals directly to the clinician's fingertips without dampening.
All Fortec dental explorers are manufactured from medical-grade, North American and European standard stainless steel — forged, constructed with advanced techniques, and hand-finished for quality craftsmanship. This steel grade provides exceptional strength, resistance against bending and breaking under repeated use, and full corrosion resistance through repeated autoclave sterilisation cycles — ensuring the DG16 tip retains its precise curvature and sharpness examination after examination. The steel remains straight even after extended use and will not develop rust or surface pitting. The ergonomic handle pattern is designed for comfortable grip and controlled fingertip pressure during delicate endodontic sweeping movements. All models are fully conformed to CE, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and FDA standards, and carry a warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
Rinse explorer tips with clean water immediately after each use to prevent dentin debris, blood, and irrigant residue from drying and adhering to the fine DG16 tip. Avoid abrasive cleaning agents or bleach-based solutions that can corrode the stainless steel over time. When loading cassette trays for sterilisation, position endodontic explorers so the fine tips do not contact other instrument tips — tip-to-tip contact during autoclaving is a primary cause of tip distortion and blunting. Replace your explorer immediately when you notice any of the following: a bent or distorted DG16 tip that no longer follows its original curvature; a dull tip that no longer catches cleanly on canal orifices; any rust, pitting, or surface discolouration on the metal. A compromised tip delivers inaccurate tactile feedback and significantly increases the risk of missing canals during root canal treatment. For full care protocols, refer to Fortec's Instruments Care and Maintenance Care guides.
Yes — Fortec offers free Canada-wide shipping on all orders over $195 before taxes, shipping from their warehouse at 1011 Hualtain Court, Unit 14, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 1W1. Both endodontic explorer models are priced at $21.99 each, so combining them with other instruments from Fortec's Endodontics collection — such as excavators ($17.99), spreaders, pluggers, or rubber dam supplies — makes reaching the free shipping threshold straightforward. Both models are in stock and available for immediate order at fortec.ca. Fortec's customer care team is available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 1-855-790-7779 or at info@fortec.ca for order assistance. Full details are on the Shipping Policy page.

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