Tools Used by Dentists

Visiting a dentist's office can be a daunting experience for many people because of the plethora of tools surrounding the patient's chair. Dentistry tools appear intimidatingly invasive because of their hook shapes and sharp edges. However, in order for a dentist to do her job properly and effectively, these technical tools are needed to examine, clean, probe and perform various procedures in the mouth.

Functions

• Dentists are specially trained to use the various dentistry tools to perform different functions, which all require precision and dexterity. The hand-held tools are used for examination and cleaning. Different lights, including the small mirror tools that use reflection and light, and the bright light the dentist aims into the mouth from overhead, are used to guide the dentist through the patient's dark mouth. A few different tools are used for extractions, as well as restoration treatments. Probing, drilling and excavation are other dental functions that require various tools.

Examination Instruments

• In order for the dentist to evaluate the state of the teeth and gums, the dentist needs to use a variety of examination instruments, which first and foremost include the mirror. The mirror tool is a hand-held, curved tool that allows the dentist to see behind the teeth, shine more light where needed and make visible the areas otherwise not visible to the naked eye. Probes are other examination instruments that allow view by manipulating the surrounding tissue. The sickle probe is metal and hook-shaped, and is used to look around for tooth decay. The periodontal probe is also hook-shaped, but it used to check the gums and gumline. The periodontal probe can measure depths around each tooth.

Cleaning Tools

• The sickle probe may be used to scrape some of the hard-to-reach plaque off the teeth, but other fine hand tools are usually used more effectively for more thorough cleaning. Scalers and curettes are hand-held instruments that are extremely sharp and effective for scraping tartar and plaque. These instruments are curved in a way that matches the shape of the teeth, so that they can reach between the teeth, and behind the very back teeth, to remove even small tartar deposits. These tools are designed to scrape the teeth effectively without harming the tooth enamel.

Extraction Instruments

• Extraction, meaning the removal of teeth, includes elevator tools and forceps. Elevator tools are used as levers, and look like small screwdrivers. Elevator tools are used first in extractions, when they're wedged between the tooth and bone, and shifted to levy the tooth. Forceps dental tools are almost like tweezers, but more powerful. Forceps are used to grab hold of the tooth, rock it back and forth, separate its ligament and lift it upward. Dental forceps come in many shapes and sizes for different teeth, and for different parts of the mouth. There are separate forceps, for instance, used for the upper molars.

Restoration Tools

• When dentists detect problems, like cavities, they must work to restore those areas of the mouth. These tools include a variety of chisels and spoon excavators that come in many shapes and sizes to optimize performance. Excavators are like tiny spoons that work to dig out decay and cavities. Various burs, which are like drillheads, are also used for restoration purposes. These drill attachments help fill cavities, smooth out the teeth, repair chipping and remove tissue where needed.

Other Dental Tools

• Lighting is extremely important to the dentist, who targets the interior of the mouth with bright light emitted from large overhead light technology, or emitted as the secondary function of the hand-held mirror, or other hand-held devices. Saliva ejectors are also important for the dentist to complete his tasks. Saliva ejectors are the small, vacuum like devices inserted to suck out the moisture in the patient's mouth.