Dental instrument

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A dental mirror, a common dental instrument

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Dental instruments are tools used by dental professionals to provide dental treatment. They include tools to examine, manipulate, treat, restore, and remove teeth and surrounding oral structures. Dental instruments are essential for performing various dental procedures and maintaining oral health.

Types of Dental Instruments

Dental instruments can be categorized into several types based on their function:

Examination Instruments

These instruments are used to examine the teeth and surrounding tissues. They include:

• Dental Mirror: A small, round mirror attached to a handle, used to view areas of the mouth that are difficult to see directly. It also helps reflect light onto surfaces.

• Dental Explorer: A sharp-ended instrument used to detect cavities, calculus, and other abnormalities on the tooth surface. It is also known as a probe.

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A dental explorer

Hand Cutting Instruments

These are used to manually remove decayed tooth material and prepare the tooth for restoration. Examples include:

• Excavators: Used to remove soft carious dentin.
• Chisels: Used to shape and plane enamel and dentin walls of the cavity preparation.

Restorative Instruments

These instruments are used to place, condense, and carve dental materials to restore the function and morphology of the tooth. They include:

• Amalgam Carrier: Used to carry and dispense amalgam into the cavity preparation.
• Burnishers: Used to smooth and polish the surface of a restoration.

Surgical Instruments

These are used in oral surgery procedures, such as extractions and periodontal surgery. Examples include:

• Scalpel: Used for making incisions.
• Forceps: Used for extracting teeth.

Prosthodontic Instruments

These are used in the fabrication and placement of dental prostheses. They include:

• Impression Trays: Used to hold impression material to take an impression of the teeth and gums.
• Cheek Retractor: Used to hold the cheeks away from the teeth and gums during procedures.

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A cheek retractor

Rotary Instruments

These are powered instruments used for cutting, polishing, and finishing dental materials. They include:

• Dental Handpiece: A powered rotary instrument used for drilling and polishing teeth.

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A dental handpiece

Maintenance and Sterilization

Proper maintenance and sterilization of dental instruments are crucial to prevent infection and ensure the longevity of the instruments. Instruments should be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized according to the manufacturer's instructions and standard infection control protocols.

Also see

• Dental surgery
• Dental restoration
• Oral hygiene
• Dental assistant