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Dental Filling Tools

Dental fillings are helpful for restoring the function and appearance of a tooth that has developed a cavity. A cavity forms as a result of tooth decay. When using dental filling tools, dental professionals aim to create a filling that reflects the normal anatomy of the tooth. Although tooth-colored fillings are ideal for the visible front teeth, silver fillings work well in the back teeth because of their strength.

  1. Amalgam Carrier

    • The amalgam carrier has a well on each end that a dental assistant or dentist uses to pack freshly mixed amalgam into a tooth prepared for a silver filling. One well is smaller than the other. After an amalgam capsule is mixed in an amalgamator, the amalgam in the capsule is emptied into a metal amalgam well. The dental assistant then scoops the amalgam carrier's two wells into the metal amalgam well and uses the material to fill the patient's tooth.

    Condenser

    • After applying freshly mixed amalgam to a prepared tooth, the dental assistant or dentist uses a condenser to pack the amalgam down into the filling preparation. The condenser has a flat working end and an angled shank -- the part of the instrument where the handle meets the working end. This allows the dental assistant or dentist to reach all parts of the filling preparation.

    Burnisher/Carver

    • A burnisher is used to smooth the surface of freshly packed amalgam. The burnisher has a smooth working end and comes in various shapes, such as those of a football or beavertail to handle differently shaped tooth preparations.

      In addition, dental assistants or dentists use a carver to remove excess amalgam from the preparation. They also use the carver to carve the tooth's existing anatomy into the amalgam before the amalgam sets. For example, the Hollenbach carver is helpful for removing excess amalgam between the teeth, while the discoid-cleoid carver helps carve amalgam fillings on the chewing surfaces of teeth.

    Composite Placement Instrument/Articulating Paper

    • When placing a composite resin filling, or a tooth-colored filling, a dental assistant or dentist uses a composite placement instrument. The composite placement instrument is made of Teflon or anodized aluminum so that it does not scratch the tooth-colored material.

      In addition, after placing either an amalgam or composite resin filling, dental professionals use a carbon paper known as articulating paper to check how a patient bites with the new filling.

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