Dental Instruments 2

1. Basic Examination Instruments:

• Mouth Mirror: A small, round mirror used to view parts of the mouth that are difficult to see directly.
• Explorer: A pointed instrument used to detect cavities, defects, and tartar build-up on teeth.
• Cotton Pliers: Tweezers used to handle cotton rolls, gauze, and other small items in the mouth.
• Periodontal Probe: A long, thin instrument used to measure the depth of gum pockets around the teeth.
• Air/Water Syringe: A device that emits a stream of air or water to rinse or dry areas in the mouth.
• Sickle Probe: A hooked instrument used to detect plaque or calculus on the teeth.
• Tissue Forceps: Used to grasp soft tissue or small objects during dental procedures.
• Plastic Filling Instrument: Used to apply and shape plastic (composite) fillings.
• Discoid-Cleoid Carver: A tool with disc-shaped and pointed ends, used to carve and shape restorations.

2. Cavity Preparation Instruments:

• High-Speed Handpiece: A fast rotary instrument used with burs to remove tooth structure and decay.
• Low-Speed Handpiece: A slower, controlled handpiece used for polishing, finishing, and minor adjustments.
• Dental Burs: Rotary cutting instruments used with handpieces to cut, shape, and remove decayed tooth structure. Available in various shapes and sizes.
• Excavator: A spoon-shaped instrument used to remove soft decay from cavities.
• Spatula: A flat, broad tool used to mix dental materials like cements or impressions.
• Amalgam Carrier: A tool used to carry and place amalgam material into the cavity.
• Condensers: Used to pack and compress dental filling materials into cavities.
• Burnisher: A smooth instrument used to polish and smooth dental fillings.
• Hollenback Carver: A tool used for carving dental amalgam or other filling materials into the natural contours of the tooth.
• Tofflemire Retainer: A device that holds a matrix band in place when restoring a tooth with a filling.

3. Extraction Instruments:

• Extraction Forceps: Specialized pliers used to grip and remove teeth.
• Elevator: A tool used to loosen teeth from their sockets before extraction.
• Surgical Scalpels: A small knife used to make incisions in the gum or soft tissue.
• Hemostat: A clamp used to control bleeding by constricting blood vessels or tissues.
• Periotome: A thin instrument used to sever the periodontal ligament to aid tooth extraction.
• Bone File: A tool used to smooth rough bone edges after tooth extraction.
• Cryer Elevator: An instrument used to remove broken or impacted teeth.
• Root Tip Picks: Small, sharp tools used to extract remaining root fragments after a tooth is removed.

4. Endodontic Instruments:

• Endodontic Explorer: A tool used to locate the openings of root canals in the tooth.
• Root Canal Files: Small, flexible instruments used to clean and shape the inside of the root canal.
• Reamers: A larger, spiral tool used to enlarge and clean the root canal.
• Endodontic Spreader: Used to spread gutta-percha or other materials inside the root canal after cleaning.
• Gutta-Percha: A biocompatible material used to fill and seal root canals after treatment.
• Paper Points: Absorbent paper used to dry root canals after cleaning.
• Endodontic Condenser: Used to compact filling material inside the root canal.
• Broach: A tool with barbed edges used to remove debris or pulp from the root canal.

5. Prophylaxis (Cleaning) Instruments:

• Scaler: A sharp instrument used to remove plaque, tartar, and calculus from the teeth, often during professional cleanings.
• Curette: A rounded tool used to remove tartar below the gumline and smooth the root surface.
• Ultrasonic Scaler: A device that uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth.
• Polishing Cup: A soft rubber cup used to polish the surfaces of teeth after scaling.
• Polishing Brush: A bristled brush used with polishing paste to smooth and polish tooth surfaces.
• Prophy Angle: A tool attached to a handpiece for polishing teeth, often used with a rubber cup or brush.
• Sonic Scaler: A hand-held tool using sonic vibrations to remove debris and plaque.
• Air Polishing System: A method that uses a jet of air and a powder to remove stains and plaque from the teeth.

6. Restorative Instruments:

• Composite Filling Instrument: A tool used to place and shape composite (tooth-colored) fillings.
• Amalgam Carrier: A device that carries and places dental amalgam into a cavity.
• Amalgam Plugger: A tool used to pack and compress amalgam fillings into cavities.
• Burnisher: Used to smooth and shape dental fillings, often after placement.
• Carving Instrument: A tool used to carve and shape filling materials, especially amalgam, to match the natural contours of the tooth.
• Matrix Band: A band used to form a temporary wall around a cavity while it is being filled.
• Ring (for sectional matrix system): A device that holds matrix bands securely around the tooth to ensure proper filling placement.
• Dappen Dish: A small container used to hold dental materials like bonding agents or amalgam during procedures.

7. Orthodontic Instruments:

• Band Pusher: Used to push orthodontic bands into place on the teeth.
• Brackets and Braces: Metal or ceramic devices bonded to teeth to straighten them over time.
• Orthodontic Plier: Various pliers used to bend and adjust orthodontic wires, place bands, or fit brackets.
• Elastic Separators: Small rubber bands placed between teeth to create space for braces.
• Archwire Cutter: A tool used to trim orthodontic wires to fit the patient’s mouth.
• Ligature Director: Used to place ligature ties on brackets to secure orthodontic wires.
• Distal End Cutter: A tool used to cut off excess wire at the end of an archwire.
• Ligature Tying Forceps: Used to tie and cut the elastics or wires around brackets.

8. Surgical Instruments:

• Surgical Scalpels: Small, sharp knives used for making incisions in the gums or tissue during surgery.
• Needle Holders: Used to hold needles while suturing tissue during surgery.
• Surgical Forceps: Specially designed pliers used for gripping and holding tissues during surgery.
• Scissors: Used to cut tissue or sutures during surgical procedures.
• Hemostats: Used to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels or tissues.
• Bone Chisel: A tool used to cut and shape bone during oral surgery.
• Bone Rongeur: A tool used to remove small pieces of bone during surgery.
• Surgical Retractors: Used to pull back soft tissues to provide better visibility and access during surgery.
• Tissue Forceps: Used for holding and manipulating tissues during surgery.

9. Anesthesia Instruments:

• Syringe: A tool used to inject local anesthesia into the mouth for pain control.
• Needles: Various sized needles used for administering local anesthesia.
• Carpule: A small glass vial containing anesthetic solution.
• Topical Anesthetic Applicator: Used to apply numbing gel or cream to the gum before the injection of local anesthesia.
• Aspiration Syringe: A syringe with a built-in safety mechanism to prevent injecting anesthetic into a blood vessel.

10. Implant Instruments:

• Implant Drill Kit: A set of drills used to prepare the site for implant placement.
• Implant Driver: A tool used to place the dental implant into the bone.
• Implant Abutment Driver: Used to attach the abutment to the implant.
• Osseointegration Screws: Used to temporarily stabilize the implant as it integrates with the bone.
• Bone Grafting Instruments: Tools used to place bone grafting material during implant surgery.

11. Other Specialized Instruments:

• Saliva Ejector: A suction tool used to remove saliva and fluids during dental procedures.
• Rubber Dam Kit: A set of tools used to isolate a specific area of the mouth during treatment, typically for fillings or root canals.
• Articulating Paper Holder: Used to hold articulating paper to check the bite after a filling or restoration.
• Impression Trays: Used to hold material while taking dental impressions for crowns, dentures, or bridges.
• Wax Carver: A tool used to shape wax during crown or bridge fabrication.
• Dental Loupes: Magnifying glasses worn by dentists to enhance visibility during procedures.