- A mouth mirror is a small mirror that is attached to a thin rod. The mouth mirror is used to examine the teeth and various structures inside the mouth.
- A periodontal probe features a long, thin probe attached to a handle. The blunted probe is etched with various markings, and these dental instruments are used to measure the depths of a pocket around a tooth.
- The dental explorer is often used to detect the presence of tooth decay. It features a handle with a pointed hook at the end. Various types of dental explorers exist, but the "shepherd's hook" instrument is the most common.
- The forceps feature two long blades at the end of a short handle. The forceps are used to handle and grasp objects inside the mouth.
- The calcium hydroxide applicator features a thin, short angled probe at the end of a handle. The handle often is stamped with "calcium hydroxide." This dental tool is used to apply calcium hydroxide at the base of a cavity.
