Dental Procedure Instruments

A general dentist or oral health specialist performs a variety of procedures such as preventative, cosmetic and restorative dental care. Dental procedure instruments have specific functions, including cleaning a patient's mouth or performing an X-ray. According to the American Dental Association, dentists use critical instruments that penetrate soft bone or tissue, semi-critical instruments that may come in contact with mucous membranes, and non-critical instruments, such as blood pressure cuffs and x-ray heads, that do not enter a patient's mouth.

Critical Instruments

• Dentists rely on tools for measuring gum pockets and shaping teeth.

  During a general examination, dentists will use an explorer to probe tooth valleys and pits to check for cavities. A variety of probes assess patient gum and tooth health. A crown prep bur is a special drill for shaping teeth and prepares a tooth for crown placement. A dental elevator is a critical handle and blade tool the dentist uses to insert and apply pressure as a tooth is extracted. Saliva ejectors dispose of saliva, blood and dental materials that linger in the mouth during a procedure.

Semi-critical Instruments

• Mouth mirrors provide a multi-angle view.

  Dental professionals use non-invasive lab burs to smooth and polish teeth. Cotton forceps carry small items in and out of the mouth. Mouth mirrors let the dentist explore the mouth from different angles. The anesthetic syringe can supply pain relief, water or air to oral tissue during a procedure.

Non-critical Instruments

• Dentists assess the health of patients, inside and outside the mouth.

  Non-critical instruments are those that do not enter a patient's mouth or come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. Often, the dental assistant will use a digital wrist cuff to determine a patient's blood pressure before an exam or procedure. Digital x-ray heads send electronic images of a patient's teeth, gums and jaw to a computer for analysis. The dentist may use a stethoscope to listen for joint sounds, which may indicate a jaw joint disorder.