Which stroke is specifically used to lift calculus deposits off the tooth?

The calculus removal stroke is specifically designed for the purpose of lifting calculus deposits off the tooth surfaces. This stroke is characterized by its firm pressure and a short, controlled motion that enables the clinician to effectively dislodge hard deposits from the enamel or root surfaces. When performing this stroke, the instrument's edge is placed against the deposit, and the clinician applies upward or lateral force to break the attachment of the calculus to the tooth.

In contrast, the assessment stroke is primarily utilized for exploring and detecting the presence of calculus, but it does not have the force or intention to remove it. The root debridement stroke differs in that it focuses on smoothing the root surfaces and cleaning debris from areas that may have already undergone scaling or have superficial irregularities, rather than lifting large calculus deposits. An activation stroke generally refers to the movement necessary to employ ultrasonic or piezoelectric scalers, which is not specifically focused on the removal of calculus in the same manner as the calculus removal stroke.

Therefore, the calculus removal stroke is the appropriate technique for effectively lifting calculus deposits off the tooth.