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Dental Repair Tools

Dentists use a wide variety of instruments during the course of their practice. Some are used for detecting problems, while others are used strictly for repair. When you visit the dentist you may notice his instrument tray will be filled with the specific tools needed to repair your tooth, such as a spatula for filling cavities or a syringe to administer local anesthesia before a root canal.

  1. College Tweezers

    • College tweezers are used to place and retrieve small objects, such as cotton pellets or loose bone fragments, from your mouth. Many feature a locking mechanism to prevent the dentist from dropping materials into your mouth. The working end of these tweezers can be curved, straight, smooth or serrated.

    Gingival Margin Trimmers

    • The Gingival margin trimmer is a type of chisel used to place bevels on your tooth's enamel at the gum line. Its blade is slightly curved and the cutting edge is angled. These trimmers are used in pairs for the mesial or distal tooth surface.

    Spoon Excavators

    • Spoon excavators are often used to remove tooth decay but can also be used to remove excess cement bases. Some excavators have rounded cutting edges that resemble the shape of a spoon, while others have a claw-like cutting edge.

    Spatulas

    • In dentistry, spatulas are used for mixing cements, impression materials and temporary fillings. They come in many shapes and sizes and are available in plastic or metal.

    Syringes

    • Syringes used in dentistry are often used to administer local anesthesia. When using a syringe, you must check the adapter fitting to be sure there is no leakage at the needle. A pre-sterilized needle must be used for all patients to avoid the risk of disease transmission.

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