Understanding the Instruments Dentists Use During Treatment

By Your Health Magazine

There is nothing wrong with being nervous or worried about going to the dentist, and it’s worth knowing that millions of people around the world feel exactly the same way. That said, there is some good news, which is that there are ways to manage your stress and anxiety in a way that makes things far less daunting.

Research has shown that patients who understand the instruments dentists use during treatment find the prospect of an appointment significantly less stressful. Not only that, it helps them to engage with their dentist and get the help they need that little bit easier. With this in mind, we’ve written this guide to help patients and dentists share a common language.

Different categories of instruments

Breaking things up into manageable sections is always the best way to learn something new, and that certainly applies to the world of dental instruments. There are instruments for examining and cleaning the teeth, and there is a different class of instruments that are used primarily for treating cavities and performing restorative treatments. On top of this, there are suction-based instruments designed to keep the mouth clean and accessible, and there are pain management instruments used during surgical procedures.

We will look at each category in turn to demystify what they are, with the aim of reducing patient stress.

Cleaning & examination instruments

The first thing any dentist will do during a check-up is to examine the teeth and decide whether or not they need to be cleaned, if a closer look is needed. Common instruments that are used for these purposes include:

Oral mirrors that are adjustable and cover a range of different geometries, allowing dental care professionals to view hard-to-reach areas of the mouth
Dental probes that tend to take the form of a perfectly safe pointed instrument that is used to check for cavities and issues like fillings that are starting to come loose
Scalers are instruments that are used for the precise removal of tartar and plaque, and there are specialist types that can also work below the gum line

Many dental professionals will also opt to use an ultrasonic scaler to provide a higher degree of cleaning. Such an instrument will make a light buzzing sound, and patients will feel a gentle vibration when it is in use.

Restoration and treatment instruments

There may be a need for particular teeth to get a little extra attention, and it’s always better to have this done sooner rather than later. Dentists use a range of specialist instruments, each of which performs a specific task:

Dental handpieces are high-speed rotary devices that are designed to remove decayed or damaged tooth structure while preserving the surrounding soft tissue
Spoon excavators use a precision edge to gently remove decayed material from cavities so that they can be properly cleaned and filled
Light-curing lamps provide a high-intensity light source that is designed to quickly harden materials like fillings, making them stronger and more durable in the process

Surgical and pain treatment instruments

This may be the part of our guide that fills you with the greatest sense of apprehension, but it is also the part that will make the biggest difference to your mental wellbeing. No dentist wants to cause their patients so much as an ounce of pain or discomfort, and they do everything possible to make sure all the right steps are taken.

Every dental needle used is sourced from a specialist nationwide supplier by the practice manager to ensure it is fully sterile and suitable. Every pair of forceps is specially shaped and supplied by the same trusted supplier to make sure nothing is overlooked. And all of the excavators they use to gently lift tooth structures will be supplied by the same company, too. Practice managers who source everything from a single point of contact will be able to ensure that their patients have the peace of mind that really does make all the difference.

Accessibility and control instruments

If you are a nervous patient, the sight of a dental suction device and the noise it makes may be enough to cause you a real spike of stress. Dentists who quickly explain that the purpose of the instrument is to keep the mouth clean and to allow them to be more precise with their work will provide a welcome level of reassurance. These types of instruments are often used in conjunction with sterilised cotton pads to help the dentists focus on what they do best.

We hope that by gaining a clearer understanding of the instruments local dentists use, every patient will be able to keep their stress and anxiety at bay a little bit easier.