Dentists
use a variety of dental
equipment. Dental mirrors allow dentists to see the backs of patients'
teeth and those teeth normally hidden by the cheeks. They use probes to explore
suspicious areas or to remove debris. Dentists use files and rasps to smooth
bones or perform root canals.
Mouth
mirror
This will almost certainly be used during
your visit. Your dentist needs to get a good view of the inside of your mouth,
including the back of your teeth. The mirror enables them to see from all
angles and help locate any potential problems more easily.
Dental
probe
There are a number of different types of
probe. Although they can look scary, they are used to explore the mouth and
make sure everything is in order. A sickle probe is used to locate any cavities
and other oral issues, while a periodontal probe is used to measure the
periodontal pockets and identify any problems, such as gum recession.
Anaesthetic
Teeth may be hard on the outside but under
the enamel they are incredibly sensitive. In order to operate without causing
you any pain, your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to numb your
mouth. Some dentist practices now have pain-free sedation, which means you
don’t even know your tooth has been numbed.
Dental
syringe
The dental syringe is used to administer
local anaesthetic to numb your teeth and gums so your dentist can perform
procedures that might otherwise be painful for you. Syringes are also used to
rinse or dry your mouth with water and air respectively, which is necessary for
certain procedures. Syringes can feel uncomfortable when administered, but this
usually eases a few seconds.
Dental
drill
The sound and the vibrations caused by the
drill on your teeth may cause an unusual sensation but this is nothing to worry
about. The drill is used to remove any decay attached to the tooth before
filling in the cavity, although sometimes it is simply for polishing and
smoothing the tooth once operating is complete.
Spoon
excavator
Sometimes the material in a tooth cavity is
soft and therefore no drill is necessary. Spoon excavators are used to remove
this kind of decay.
Burnisher
Burnishers are usually used at the end of a
procedure to smooth and polish your teeth, or remove scratches. They are often
used after dental restorations to tidy up the tooth after the primary
procedure.
Scaler
Scalers are used to remove calculus from
above the gum line. Sometimes plaque hardens to the point where it cannot be
removed by brushing so it needs to be carefully scraped out with these
instruments.
Curette
Like scalers, curettes are used for the
removal of calculus but they are specially shaped to remove it from below the
gum line, without causing any extra damage to the gingiva.
Suction
device
During many procedures saliva and debris can
build up in the mouth, which can make things difficult for your dentist. Small
hoses are used to remove anything obstructing the mouth.
X-ray
Sometimes a problem may not be immediately
obvious so an x-ray will need to be taken to show a more detailed view of the
teeth and bones. Without an x-ray, problems such as early decay are difficult
to detect.
Mould
One of the most accurate ways to get an
impression of the inside of your mouth is to fill a mould with a liquid
material and bite down on it. The resulting impression can then be filled with
plaster and hardened to create a model of your teeth, including any cavities
you may have. These can be used to identify any problems and are also used to
create suitable crowns, caps, mouth guards and braces.
Your dentist will talk through any procedure
with you prior to treatment, so you feel informed and at ease. If you have any
questions about the dental
equipment that will be used during your appointment, don’t hesitate to ask
them.
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