Regular dental cleaning and examination are necessary for keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Generally, dentists conduct these cleaning sessions through digital x-rays to make a full evaluation. But, the examination of teeth isn’t possible without proper instruments. These quality dental products provide ease for your dentists to identify issues in a specific area of your mouth to complete specialized operations. Even dentists recommend a professional precautionary practice at least twice a year.
But, you may worry about attending a dental hygienist because you aren’t sure what happens during a procedure. By knowing the names and purposes of some conventional dental tools, you’ll grab a brief idea about the average cleaning schedule. This further assists you to be ready for the session.
The following guide explains in detail dental instruments.
Necessary Dental Instruments Required for Tooth Cleaning
Suction
The dental suction instruments are effective for removing saliva, water, and tartar during a dental procedure. These instruments are saliva ejectors or high-volume suction devices used by dentists throughout the dental process. Depending on the level of suction needed, it allows the dentists to work effectively and remove tartars accumulated in patients’ mouths to eliminate the concern that they accidentally swallow something. The device gently hangs over your lower teeth, or a dental hygienist or assistant will hold the device.
Ultrasonic Scaler
It is a device that uses ultrasonic waves to break up hard deposits accumulated on the enamel. During the procedure, it contacts the surface of the tooth. Under the action of ultrasonic vibration, the dentist will destroy the tartar and then wash it off from the enamel. Scalers have a water mode of operation through which the tooth surface is washed with liquid. This is perfect for cooling or washing off deposits or for additional therapy.
For cleaning different surfaces, there are several types of tips available, differing in shape and effect. These are excellent for removing tartar, delicate cleaning of sensitive areas, polishing, and working with hard-to-reach places. Scaling is painless but can be unpleasant. Mild tenderness may appear in sensitive areas.
Teeth Polishing Brushes
After cleaning with the Air Flow device, it is advisable to polish the enamel. Abrasion can make the tooth surface uneven and rough. And without polishing, plaque will accumulate on such a surface faster. The procedure is not possible without special brush attachments or soft tips. The doctor regulates the speed of their rotation, selects the polishing composition, and controls the effect on the enamel. Polishing is safe, painless, and does not cause discomfort.
Elevator
The dental elevator is a surgical instrument that allows you to remove a tooth with the utmost care without damaging the surrounding tissue. The dentists will place the elevator between the tooth’s root and the wall of the bone socket. Then, they rotate the handle, and gently twists the tooth.
Dental Mirror
The dentist uses a mirror to examine the surfaces of the tooth that are invisible to the eye. It helps the dentists in inspecting the mouth thoroughly. With its help, the tongue and cheeks that interfere with the examination can gently move away. Even the dental mirror brings the most deceitful of cavities to the dentist’s attention. It has a simple structure, so a dentist can hold it easily by rotating the stick.
Polishers
Polishing is usually performed after ultrasonic scaling and hand scaling procedures. Once a dentist removes the plaque and tartar from your teeth, it’s time to polish each tooth in order to make them white and shiny. Dentists used different types of polishers to perform such actions. It includes prophy angles, small rubber cups fitted to a low-speed rotary electric polishing tool.
By using a mild to moderate abrasive paste, these polishers eliminate rough areas on the teeth and provide a smooth and clean surface. Hence, it makes the gum tissues healthy and allows them to stay attached to the tooth surface.
Dental Probe
A dental probe is another effective tool in the dentists’ toolbox. It is an ideal option for diagnosing caries and examining the pockets between the gum and the tooth. It is a long handle with a hook at the end and pointed heads.
The main function of dental probes is to discover irregularities in the mouth. Some specific probes are effective for examining particular problems, such as cavities and periodontal pockets. Each probe has a different function whether you have a sickle probe or periodontal probe.
How to Choose a Quality Tool and What to Look For?
Each dentist can choose the right instruments for their work. Nowadays, a wide variety of tools are available in the market that includes durable alloys. When choosing tools, it is necessary to take into account the type of abrasive materials, their chemical and physical properties, advantages and disadvantages. The most common alloys for metal appliances are titanium and stainless steel. Steels with the addition of chromium, nickel, or molybdenum have the highest corrosion resistance.
So, when choosing burs or discs, pay attention to the working surface. It must be of natural or artificial diamonds. It is worth considering that the coarse grain of diamond instruments contributes to the fastest preparation of tooth tissues.
Plus, while choosing instruments, the devices mustn’t slip out of the hands and do not cause any inconvenience to the doctor. It is better to choose dental products from trusted manufacturers. Do not jump over the low price of an unknown manufacturer. Often, a low price indicates a poor-quality product or a fake. Correctly selected instruments are the key to a successful outcome of the endodontic intervention.
Wrapping Up!
Dental tools are effective for making proper care of tooth, which makes your teeth healthy for a long time and minimize the dental problems.
However, don’t avoid or forget to brush your teeth with an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush. In the evening, if necessary, try flossing. Also, once every six months, it is advisable to do professional cleaning by a doctor and undergo a routine examination. These professionals will first diagnose the problems and resolve them through high-quality tools. After all, relying on professionals for tooth cleaning is the safest and healthy choice to enhance the durability of your teeth.