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Information on Dental Tools

There are many dental instruments, and different procedures require that the dentist use a different set of tools. Examination, for example, uses different tools than a surgical operation might. These tools may also come in different varieties that all have their own special function. Forceps, for example, come in many different sizes and grips.

  1. Examination Tools

    • The first part of a dentist's job is examining the teeth and mouth. The dentist does this with a series of tools, but one more common tool is the mouth mirror. The mouth mirror is a small mirror on the end of a rod that the dentist uses to view the back of teeth. The dentist may also use various probes to move tissue out of the way of the examination area.

    Retractors

    • Retractors are used to move tissue out of the area being worked on. One common example is a simple cheek retractor, which holds the lips and sides of the mouth to allow for better access to the patient's teeth. In surgical dentistry, a Minnesota retractor may be used. This retractor moves soft tissues out of the way of the operation. The Minnesota retractor is braced against bone within the patient's mouth as opposed to pressing against soft tissue.

    Drills

    • Drills are a common dental tool, known for their loud whine during use. These tools have evolved from being a manual drill, to a loud electric drill, and as of 2010 a new drill may come into use that operates based on plasma, and performs the same operations with less pain. Despite the current drills being known for their sound, another new device may be able to muffle the sound that the drill makes.

    Elevators

    • Elevators are used during a tooth extraction process. After the anesthetic is used, an elevator may be used to aid in the luxation of a tooth. The elevator is inserted and used to lever the tooth from the socket. This is done because a tooth should be pushed and never pulled from the socket during extraction. There are different elevators for different teeth. For example, the Potts Elevator is used to remove upper molars.

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