Dental Hygienist Geometric Tools

The job of a dental hygienist includes many tasks, from teeth cleaning to assisting in dental surgery. A dental hygienist uses tools, called geometric dental tools, to magnify teeth, get access to the hard-to-reach areas between teeth, scale teeth or probe the mouth and teeth. These tools are typically crafted from stainless steel and may be used on multiple patients, with careful sterilization of the tools after each exam.

Dental Mirror

• A dental mirror is a valuable tool.

  A dental mirror, a two-sided mirror shaped in a small circle, is a valuable tool for dental hygienists, since it will allow an improved view of the inner mouth. Many dental mirrors also provide magnification on one side to give a closer view than an ordinary mirror would allow.

College Tweezers

• College tweezers are typically 6 inches long.

  College tweezers are used to grasp equipment, remove items from the mouth or to place items into the mouth (such as brackets for braces). College tweezers are typically 6 inches long or more, and end in sharp points. Some of them have angled points, others have serrated ends. College tweezers may have a locking mechanism that allows the hygienist to hold a tooth or item steady in a certain area of the mouth while leaving the other hand free to perform dental work.

Periodontal Probes

• A periodontal probe can detect dental problems.

  Periodontal probes measure the depth of the periodontal sulcus. This area, which lies between the gums and the teeth, may be full of tartar or other buildup, or may be inflamed. When the periodontal probe reading shows excessive depth, the hygienist is alerted that a dental problem exists. Periodontal probes are curved or sharply angled at the end to provide easy access to the teeth and gum pockets of the patient's mouth. A periodontal probe may also be used to locate holes in the tooth enamel or to remove plaque.