I certainly do. Especially durning SRP’s and when I have taken X-rays and see radiographic calculus. I am not perfect and I will be the first person to admit it! I recently had to take a PA post prophy and saw that I had missed a whopping random ledge of molar calculus! By biggest fear is becoming complacent with the day to day routine so that oversight really got me to re-evaluate my instrumentation and using my explorer more frequently.
For srp and perio maintenance I will because of the deeper pockets but with a healthy patient whose probe depths are 1-3mm I have gotten to point where I can use my instrument (usually a Wiland carver) as an explorer as I am instrumentating.
I always use an explorer..I never thought not to. I start and/or follow up with it. There are times when I am using an instrument and will check with it but I still default to picking up the explorer just to be sure.
Yes always use your 11/12 or pigtail, it really makes a difference. Also keeping your instruments sharp will help.
I depend on my 11/12 much more than radiographs since you can feel with the explorer calculus that doesn’t show up on X-rays.