A Dentist Needs Equipment

Dentists utilize a wide variety of equipment to accomplish procedures ranging from the routine to the extraordinary. The first of these many devices is a simple implement commonly known as the "mouth mirror."

A mouth mirror is a small device placed into the mouth able to provide the dentist or dental hygienist with a reflection of the teeth. The mirror is rounded and comes in different sizes denoted by “No. 4,” “No. 5,” and so on. Along with a mouth mirror, the second most common device is the dental explorer.

A dental explorer is also known as a sickle probe and is used to determine the presence of tooth decay, as well as scale (remove) plaque and tartar. Probes are available in varying sizes depending on the location the device is used, such as between the teeth.

Perhaps the most important device a dentist has is the dental drill. Presently, a dental drill can operate at speeds up to 500,000 RPM and utilize a wide array of bits, known as "burs." Because enamel is so hard, the bits are forged from hard metal alloy. Depending on the bit, it may be steel with a tungsten carbide coating or pure tungsten carbide. In addition, the bit may also be coated in diamond. Burs come in a wide range of shapes, including pear shaped, football, flame, round, tapered, inverted cone, and bevel.

Hand in hand with the dental drill, fillings are necessary in most dental procedures. A filling is a durable material placed to fill the space left after drilling and restore the bite surface. In most cases, a composite resin is used. Composite resins are mixtures of powdered glass and plastic resin and are injected into the space after a brief cleaning. Once filled, an ultraviolet light is applied, curing the material. Prior to the development of composite resins and still used today, amalgam fillings are a mixture of silver, tin, and mercury that harden to form a surface that lasts for 12 years on average. Due to the mercury content, however, many are questioning the safety of this ubiquitous treatment. Another treatment commonly used is gold. Gold fillings are applied in one of two methods, cast fillings with 14kt or 18kt gold and gold foil with 24kt gold.

This is just touching the surface of the vast variety of dental equipment that the modern dentist can employ.

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