Types of Dental Instruments

Dental instruments were used during the height of the Roman Empire. Some instruments have fallen out of use over the years but others surprisingly are similar to what was used hundreds of years ago. Instruments have been developed to correct specific dental problems, such as certain bur shapes. Other instruments are used regularly in dental offices on a daily basis.

Mouth Mirror

• Mouth mirrors are designed with an angled mirror at the end allowing the dentist to view inside the mouth. In 1984, a set of ancient dental tools from the Roman Empire were added to the New Milton Collection. One of the tools was a silver mirror not too unlike the mirrors used today.

Sickle Probe

• The sickle probe is a metal, hooked tool used to test for tooth decay. The sickle name is taken from the farming sickle used in wheat harvesting. Dentists are encouraged to use the tool's hooked end to test the tooth enamel for decay by pressing. The tool is also known as the dental explorer, referring to its function of exploring the teeth for decay.

Dental Burs

• A dental bur is used in procedures that require the removal of enamel. Burs come in many shapes and sizes, each intended for a specific treatment. The bur is a cutting tool constructed of carbide, stainless steel or diamond coated, that is attached to the end of a drill. Different shanks, or shafts, accommodate both slow- and high-speed procedures. The shank also is used to classify the types of bur. Some examples of burs classified by shank are the latch type or right angle, and the long shank.

Dental Drill

• Drills are used primarily to remove tooth decay. The proper name for a dental drill is dental handpiece but it also might be referred to as a dental engine or simply a handpiece. Drills spin at varying speeds, some can rotate as fast as 500,000 rpm (rotations per minute). The distinctive sound of a dental drill causes many patients to fear dentists.