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Dental Instruments Used by Dentists

Dentists' tools can look intimidating to the patient. They are sharp and in the hands of an inferior dentist can cause a lot of pain. Dentists are trained to use a wide selection of tools. Some tools in the dentist's kit, such as electrically powered tools, are constantly improved upon as dental medicine advances. Other tools are tried-and-true hand tools that allow the dentist to work inside your mouth with greater dexterity and precision.

  1. Basic Hand Tools

    • A dentist's basic set of hand tools are long handled instruments that allow him to see and work inside the mouth. The mouth mirror, various probes and tweezers make up the three categories of tools. Mirrors may be lighted, magnified or double-sided. Most probes are metal and curve at the ends in a variety of shapes. They are used to feel and test the condition of the teeth, gums and dental fittings. Tweezers are used to place or remove small materials.

    Chairs and Lights

    • The small arena for the dentist's work is called the operatory. This room is equipped with the chair for the patient that is electrically adjustable for height and angle and often operated by a foot pedal. The light in the operatory can be wall- or ceiling-mounted or stand on the floor. It is calibrated to allow the dentist to have more or less light as needed and at the right projection. The dental unit is the movable table that holds hand tools and work materials.

    Rotary Tools

    • Rotary tools are electrically powered hand pieces. Attachments allow the dentist to drill, shape, smooth and polish teeth. They give the dentist power to remove tooth tissue or file away excess dental tissue or product such as filling material. The attachments, called burs, are found in many shapes and sizes.

    Suction

    • When patients are undergoing dental procedures a low volume of suction system is used to remove excess saliva or blood from the mouth. The machine is attached to the dental tray unit. Cotton balls and cotton pellets also help absorb the fluids to clear the way for the dentist and keep patients from choking.

    Radiography

    • Dental exams begin with X-ray so that dentists know what needs to be attended. Dental offices have radiography photography equipment and film slides. The slides come in several sizes to fit the patient's mouth and the area to be photographed. After the X-ray is taken by an assistant the dentist views the result on a specially lighted monitor.

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