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Type of Metals Used for Dental Tools

A dentist's office is never complete without a tray of sharp and pointy devices. These shiny instruments help dentists examine, clean, remove and repair teeth. Although they were once made from a variety of materials like bone or ivory, most dental instruments today are made from metal or metal alloys.

  1. Stainless Steel

    • The most common type of metal used for dental tools is stainless steel, a steel alloy that is highly resistant to stains, corrosion and rust. Surgical instruments are frequently made from stainless steel because it stays bright and is easy to sterilize. Probes, mirrors, picks and pliers are among the dental instruments usually made from stainless steel.

    Carbon Steel

    • Another type of steel alloy, carbon steel is harder than stainless steel but is more susceptible to corrosion. Many dental instruments with sharp-cutting edges, such as scalpels, are made of carbon steel because an alloy with a higher percentage of carbon will make a tool that is both harder and better able to maintain a sharp edge for a longer period of time.

    Tungsten Carbide

    • Tungsten carbide is used to make the bits, or "burs," that fit into a dental drill. Invented by Rudolph Funke in 1917, tungsten carbide was first used for dental drill bits in 1948. It is a good choice for burs because it is an extremely durable metal, and it is able to withstand the high heat that is generated by the rotation of the drill.

    Chromium and Nickel

    • Chromium and nickel are common components in steel alloys but are primarily restricted to dental tools that are not used for the actual cutting of tooth structures. Steel alloys with a higher percentage of chromium are more resistant to scratches, while alloys with a higher percentage of nickel have a smoother, more polished appearance.

    History

    • Discoveries have suggested that people in the Stone Age used crude dental drills made from flint to cure toothaches almost 9,000 years ago. Metal was used in the 18th and 19th centuries by blacksmiths, who fashioned dental forceps from iron. Picks and scrapers from this time period were made from metals such as silver and gold plate, although they were often also made from carved wood, ivory or stone.

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