If you find yourself worrying about the assortment of tools that your dentist will use during an examination, contact our seasoned general dentistry/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ who can provide you with a little more information to set your mind at ease. Please continue reading as we explore the tools and devices you can expect during your check-up visit at the dentist’s office.
What Dental Tools Can I Expect to See at the Dentist’s Office?
At Dental Associates of Basking Ridge, we want our patients to be as informed as possible about what each toll in our office is used for to ease their dental anxiety. Some tools you can expect to see during a dental appointment include, but are not limited to the following:
- Mouth mirror: This is a small, circular mirror attached to a long handle that helps dentists see hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Your dentist will use this instrument to push your tongue or cheek away to get a better look at your teeth, paying close attention to areas that are prone to tartar buildup. This is probably the least intimidating tool that your dentist will pull out.
- Periodontal probe: This is a small rod with markings that a dentist uses to examine your mouth and check for signs of gum disease. It can also be used to measure bone loss around a tooth. The pointed end of this instrument is used to identify pockets between the teeth. If there is damage to a tooth, the probe can cause discomfort.
- Dental scaler: This hooked instrument is used by the hygienist to scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth and gums. You should be prepared for some unpleasant scraping sounds. This is often the most intimidating tool in the dentist’s office.
- Dental drill: This is a vibrating tool that is used to remove areas of decay, preparing the tooth for a filling, crown, or bridge.
- Spoon excavator: This tool is used to remove decay from soft tooth cavities without a drill.
- Saliva ejector: This device is like a little vacuum that sucks up your spit during a treatment. Essentially, it dries your mouth so the dentist can better perform their work. This prevents you from swallowing any calculus or getting overwhelmed by excess saliva production.
- Intraoral camera: This tiny camera can be inserted into the mouth to magnify images and help dentists detect underlying problems. Patients can look at their teeth and see the same thing as the dentist during an examination.
These are just some of the tools you will find in your dentist’s office. To properly care for your oral health, schedule an appointment with our team today. At Dental Associates of Basking Ridge, we are prepared to help you maintain a healthy smile.
