Dental Equipment Tools
A dentist's office can seem daunting to many patients because of the many of tools that surround the patient's chair. Shiny, sharp edges and hook shapes can be intimidating, because they appear so eerily invasive. For a dentist to perform her job, however, these technical tools are required, in order to examine, probe, clean, restore and perform other procedures that yield healthy teeth and gums. Does this Spark an idea?
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Functions
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In addition to the dexterity that is required of the dentist, precision is equally important. Dentistry tools must all function with precision. The functions of hand-held tools are careful examination of the teeth and gums, and cleaning. Lighting is also crucial, as the dentist must be able to see exactly what is happening in the patient's dark mouth, and lighting is achieved by hand-held mirror tools, as well as strong bright lights aimed from overhead. Other functions of dental equipment and tools include extractions and restoration treatments, probing, especially around the gum tissue, drilling and excavation.
Examination Instruments
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A variety of examination instruments are required to properly evaluate the condition of the teeth and gums. The hand-held mirror tool is essential throughout dental procedures, as it not only provides helpful reflective light, but is curved in such a way that it allows the dentist to inspect places virtually impossible to see without the mirror tool, such as behind the teeth and in the very back of the mouth. Probes are used to manipulate the tissue surrounding the teeth, and for areas between the teeth. A periodontal probe is a hook-shaped, tool with a blunt end that is sensitive to the gums and gum lines, which are its target examination area. It measures the depth of bone and tissue around each tooth. The sickle probe is used to detect tooth decay, and is much sharper than the periodontal probe.
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Cleaning Tools
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Stubborn plaque can be scraped off with the sickle probe, but other hand-held tools are more effective for cleaning. (The sickle probe is so sharp that it can scrape the tooth enamel, and dentists use this probe for cleaning as little as possible for that reason.) Curettes and scalers are used to scrape off tartar and plaque build up on the teeth. These sharp instruments are shaped in a way that matches the curves of the teeth, so that reaching between, around, and behind the teeth to rid even the smallest tartar deposits is easy. Although curettes and scalers are also extremely sharp, they are designed in such a way that scraping with these instruments does not affect tooth enamel.
Extraction Tools
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The removal of a tooth is called an extraction, which is performed for various reasons, including severe infection of the tooth. Forceps are tools that resemble tweezers, but for their strong grip and power. These extraction instruments are used to grip the tooth, wiggle it back and forth to loosen it from the ligaments, then tear the tooth from its roots, and pull it out. Just as teeth come in many shapes and sizes, so do forceps, and various forceps are designed to address different parts of the mouth, such as the upper molar area. If a strongly rooted tooth cannot be removed with forceps alone, elevator tools are used first. These tools act as levers, and are inserted down through the tissue, and wedged between the teeth and bone where they shift to levy the tooth. Elevator tools resemble small screwdrivers.
Restoration Tools
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Many dental conditions require restoration of the tooth or teeth, such as cavities. Restoration tools include spoon excavators and chisels of many shapes and sizes. Excavators work like tiny shovels that dig in the cavity and scoop out the decay. Chisels works in the same fundamental way as all chisels, and function to chip away at unwanted decay. Burs also account for a hefty portion of dentistry tools, as burs, like drillheads, serve a variety of functions, including restoration. Bur attachments, which are essentially drill attachments, are used to fill cavities. Different burs are also used to repair chipping, and smooth out the edges of the teeth. Some burs are used for cleaning purposes as well, since the spinning movement of a small bur can lift tough stain from the teeth.
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References
- Photo Credit "Feeling Blue?" by Jakevol2, flickr.com/creativecommons
