General Dental Instruments

Although there are many branches of dentistry that require specific instruments, the majority of dentists employ a few basic tools. These tools are used for most common dental procedures, including the prevention, or treatment, of tooth decay or gum disease, the extraction or restoration of teeth, and scaling to address periodontal issues.

Mirror

• When a dentist first examines an oral cavity, he will use a mirror to reflect light onto tissues and teeth. The design of the mirror enables indirect vision and magnifies the hard-to-see areas of the mouth. Typically, this instrument is held in the dentist's non-dominant hand.

Hand-held Probe or Explorer

• For routine examinations, a sickle or contra-angled probe is used to discern fissures and pits, cavities (caries), incrustations (calculus), and problems with crowns and bridges.

Forceps

• A wide range of objects are transferred in and out of the oral cavity with forceps. Some forceps have a built-in locking mechanism to reduce the chances of dropping the object.

Excavator

• These sharp instruments remove the soft, decayed part of the tooth during a cavity-fill preparation.

Aspirating Syringe and Needles

• Dentists administer anesthesia via an aspirating syringe and needle to minimize the pain of certain procedures. Suction is generated at the tip of the needle by a thumb ring on the syringe. According to the Pre-Dental Society, needles come in three common lengths. Short, inch-long needles are used for upper jaw (maxillary) injections. Longer needles are reserved for lower jaw (mandibular) injections, while injections between tooth and bone require very short, half-inch needles. For procedures that isolate one tooth or particular area of the oral cavity, a rubber dam is used to shield a patient's airway as well as to aid in viewing the affected area.

Slow- and High-speed Handpieces

• Spinning between zero to 20,000 rpm, a slow-speed handpiece (commonly known as a drill) is used not only to cut the calcified tissue that surrounds the tooth cavity, but also to polish teeth and restorations. It is not used to cut teeth. A high-speed handpiece is reserved for cutting enamel and spins up to 400,000 rpm. Both slow- and high-speed handpieces operate via air pressure, at approximately 30 psi.

Burs

• Utilized in slow- and high-speed hand pieces, burs are a type of drill bit employed to cut and polish teeth, fill cavities, and refine and repair enamel. Burs come in hundreds of different sizes and shapes. Selection of a particular bur depends on the procedure.