Dental Tools 101

What are all those fancy metal tools that are used in a dental office? And why does most of the furniture look like machines? Dental offices are set up in specific ways so that a dentist can work on your mouth in the easiest way possible for both you and them. Large machines will be found in each office, as will many different kinds of dental tools that are only used for specific purposes. Find out what the most common dental tools are that you will see and which ones are used at your dental visit!

Dental Machines In-Office

There are large machines you will notice in a dental office, and all help dentists to be able to provide quality care to their patients as efficiently as possible. The main machinery in a dental room will be the operatory equipment, which will include equipment such as seating and trays and cabinetry. The actual area where you sit is the treatment center, which will have an ergonomic chair for patients. That chair can move up and down, as can parts of the back and headrest so dentists can be in a perfect position to treat patients.

There will be an overhead lighting contraption which allows a dentist to pivot lights in any direction needed. Other machinery will house all the dental tools a dentist needs with slots to place all of the most commonly used dental tools so they can be grabbed with ease. Most dental offices will have a sink located right next to the patient that is part of their operatory center.

Common Dental Tools Used

The dental tools a dentist uses during your treatment will depend on the services you need. Shots and drills may be used for cavity fillings and root canals, whereas only polishers, floss, brushes and dental tools such as scalers are used for cleanings and exams. Here are some of the most common dental tools we use:

• Mouth Mirror: The most basic of dental tools, this is the small dental mirror attached to a long metal handle. This is used to see areas close up and far back in the mouth.
• Scaling Tool: The hook-like tool that looks scary, but actually is only used to scrape plaque from the gumline and from in-between the teeth. A scaling tool will be used to scrape off tartar (mineralized plaque) from the teeth before brushing and polishing. This is also used to test sensitivity by touch on the teeth.
• Sickle Probe: This is another tool with a hook on the end of it that is used to scrape plaque and tartar. It’s used interchangeably with the scaler tool depending on the dental service.
• Polisher: This is a dental brush that rotates to buff and polish your teeth. It’s used during dental cleanings. It’s similar to an electric toothbrush.
• Suction Device: This suctions the water and other liquids from your mouth to keep the area dry as a dentist works.
• Water Shooter: Dentists often need to clean their working area with water. They will shoot water from a tube with a white end and suction it with the suction device that looks the same.
• Toothbrush/Floss: Dental tools can also include regular toothbrushes and floss, as they are used for dental cleaning

What Treatments Can Your Teeth Receive?

There are endless possibilities for what treatments can be done on your teeth. Here are just a few of the most common that we would use our dental tools to correct:

• Cavity Fillings – We use dental tools like drills to removed decayed parts of your teeth. This is done after getting anesthetic via dental syringes, oral medication or IV sedation. Some patients choose laughing gas, which is nitrous oxide given via a facemask for the nose. This helps patients to relax during procedures. A cavity filling is when we remove decay, mix composite resin materials together to make a paste, and we fill the decayed area with that paste. We use dental tools like a UV light to harden the resin.
• Dental Sealant – We use painting dental tools to paint a thin plastic coating over your teeth to seal them from decay.
• Tooth Extraction – Patients will be sedated or numbed as we use small dental tools to open your gum area to remove a decayed or damaged tooth.
• Dental Implant – This is a custom-made tooth that screws into an implant we place in your jaw.
• Gum Disease/Periodontal Treatment – We measure your gum pockets with small measuring metal sticks to determine your gum disease progression. Using scaler and other hook tools, we clean plaque and infection from your gums.

Don’t Get Lost in Dental Lingo Again!

It can be hard to know what all the dental machines, tools and terms mean in a dental office and how they are used. There are many more terms you could learn to make your dental experience easier. With each new appointment you have, you can always ask about our dental tools or specific dental tools you want to know more about. For any questions or appointment scheduling, call Stonebrook Family Dental at (303) 872-7907!