The whole concept of dental tools tends to be obnoxious to many people. When you walk into a dentist's office, the sound of the drill and the appearance of these sharp instruments are enough to make you feel a chill down your spines. Dental phobia is very common amongst both adults and children because of the concept of the whole fearful dental experience. However, there are ways to overcome the situation getting to know the use of each tool might help you to be less fearful. The following is a brief guide about dental tools to help put your nerves at ease a little bit the next time you visit your dentist.
Mouth Mirrors
It is the least scary one of them all yet it is very important. It is composed of a mirror piece attached to a small metal stick. The purpose of this instrument is to allow the dentist to view areas in the mouth that won't normally appear by direct vision thus allowing the detection of tooth decay or other dental problems in any inaccessible area so allowing better and more accurate diagnosis. plus, it makes it easier for the dentist to move your tongue or press on your cheeks without using their fingers.
Sickle Probes
A dental explorer or a sickle probe may seem scary, but it's a vital tool in the detection of cavities or other signs of gum disease. It is composed of a long metal handle with a sharp hook on the end. Detection of periodontal pockets is the main use of the dental problem as well as removing tartar and plaque in any accessible area. It may look frightening but it is an essential tool in preventive dentistry as it is used to investigate teeth areas with susceptible signs of tooth decay.
Scalers
A scaler has the same use as a dental explorer but it is used to remove plaque and tartar with greater build-up. Most patients who suffer from periodontal diseases have a great liability for plaque build-up. When you eat or drink, food remnants stay stuck to your teeth, and bacteria is formed which eventually causes tooth decay, Occasional brushing and flossing aren't usually enough to clean up these areas thus a scaler must be used to scrape off excess plaque, Yes it will be such an unpleasant experience but it will prevent you from losing your teeth on the long-term.
Saliva Ejectors
Dental Drills
The head of all evil yet the most essential tool in the whole dental experience. The sound of it is the main reason why many patients suffer from dental phobia. However, it's the most efficient dental instrument to remove tooth decay before placing a filling. It's an electric drill spinning at a rate of 250,000 rpm while spraying water in your mouth. This administered water is essential to prevent any tooth damage that may result from excessive heat generated from the drill. A local anesthetic is administered first before using the dental drill to make the drilling process less painful and more comfortable for the patients.
Dental Syringes
The dental syringe is that metal piece with a needle on top delivering the anesthetic solution to your mouth. They have the same mechanism as a typical needle except they are a bit longer to help the dentist reach the desired area easily. On shooting the needle you may feel a little bit of discomfort but this is only temporary as it will slowly be relieved on the penetration of the anesthetic solution into the mouth tissues. If you're fearful of needles, it's preferable not to look at them, but is quite safe there is absolutely nothing you should fear. Dentists usually place a topical anesthetic before the injection to help dull any kind of discomfort experienced during the injection.
Mold
In case you need a crown, a bridge, or a mouthguard, your dentist should get a mold (or mold) of your teeth. These molds are the last thing you should fear, however; they're composed of small metallic frames with a soft substance inside which are placed in your mouth. All you have to do is to bite down on your teeth so that it provides a perfect mold of your teeth. To be honest, the molding substance doesn't have the greatest taste yet it can easily be tolerated for a few seconds, flavoured versions are now available to reduce this slight discomfort it's suitable for kids of all ages.
That was a short guide about the different types of dental instruments, having read through it you should now know a bit more about the instruments used in routine dental practices, you should now be less fearful the next time you visit your dentist. When used properly by a dental professional, these tools are harmless, and the ones that sound or look not so pleasant are typically offset by an anesthetic solution that will help you to remain comfortable and relaxed. Your dentist might even be impressed by how much you know about his tools the next time you get your teeth filled.
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