Surgical Dental Instruments

Dentistry practices have been around for a long time. Some Egyptian skulls dating back as early as 2900 B.C. have small holes drilled near teeth roots, most likely for the drainage of abscesses. While the availability of effective pain killers back then is marginal--although ancient Egyptians did have access to opium and most likely used it for severe pain relief--it's unlikely that early dentists possessed the great advantage of sturdy, specialized and extremely hygienic equipment used today.

Extracting Forceps

• A dentist uses extracting forceps, perhaps the most recognizable dentistry tool, to remove teeth from the jaw. They come in a variety of styles, depending upon your dentist's needs and desires. Finishes include stainless steel and tungsten carbide; the beak--or the part that holds onto the tooth--can be serrated or not; and the style can range from English, American or even pediatric.

Elevators

• An elevator raises the gum or bone for greater ease of working on the area. Root elevators are available in a variety of styles, including tips that are flat, rounded or resemble the tip of a syringe. The head of the instrument can be either straight or curved for reaching any angle of the jaw.

Needle Holders

• Needle holders, a specialized type of long-handled pliers, give proper grip to the needle while the dentist sutures. This instrument is available in different styles, with the biggest variation concerning the shape and grip style of the handle. Needle holders are available in different finishes including tungsten carbide and stainless steel, and can include built-in scissors.

Bone Chisels and Files

• While chisels and files aren't something that most people would associate with dentistry, they are tools in a dentist's arsenal. Dental chisels remove parts of bone that have become severely infected, while files remove the infected parts of bone that do not require full removal with chisels.

Excavator

• A dental excavator is one of the quintessential tools of dentistry. It's the instrument the dentist uses to remove tarter, plaque or small amounts of built-up decay on teeth. The tip can be sharp or rounded, with varying degrees of angle depending on use or personal preference.