Which instrument is used specifically to remove carious dentin from a tooth?

The excavator is specifically designed for the removal of carious dentin from a tooth. This instrument features a sharp, angled blade that allows the dental professional to precisely scoop away decayed tissue, facilitating the shaping of the cavity preparation before restorative materials are placed. The design of the excavator makes it ideal for accessing the tooth structures that need to be cleaned out thoroughly, ensuring that all carious dentin is removed to promote the success of the subsequent dental restoration.

In this context, the other instruments serve different functions. An explorer is primarily used for detecting dental caries and probing tooth surfaces to identify decay or other issues. A fissure bur is a rotary instrument used with a handpiece to create cavity preparations and is effective for cutting enamel and dentin but is not specifically tailored for the removal of carious tissue like the excavator. The handpiece is a broader tool used to hold various burs and, while it can assist in the preparation of cavities, it doesn’t perform the selective refinement of carious dentin that an excavator does. Thus, the excavator stands out as the most specialized instrument for this purpose.