Dental Drills and Handpieces Key Terms

Understand dental drills and handpieces key terms to enhance your best dental tool knowledge

There are many types of dental drills and handpieces used for specialized applications in the dental industry. From high speed and low speed drills to fiber optic handpieces, you need to know the types, styles and applications of dental tools to make the right choice for your needs.

Whether you are a dental practitioner or a supplier of dental drills and handpieces, familiarize yourself with these dental drills and handpieces key terms for an overall understanding of the most up-to-date dental tools available.

 

Low-speed handpieces

Low-speed handpieces are straight, air-driven dental tools that have a lower RPM and use attachments for different applications. Low-speed handpieces are generally used for detailed procedures.
Try: Visit The Handpiece Surgeon for examples and pictures of low-speed handpieces and descriptions of how each handpiece works.

High-speed handpieces

High-speed dental handpieces are air-driven tools that have a higher RPM and are used to prepare a tooth for restoration such as a filling. High-speed dental handpieces have various attachments used for specific tasks.
Try: Integrated Publishing offers extensive information on high-speed dental handpieces.

Dental bur

A dental bur is the drill bit which is inserted into a hand piece, used for drilling in the event of a cavity.
Try: Dental Burs USA has a large selection of dental burs and a description of their uses.

Sickle probe or sickle scaler

A sickle probe, also referred to as a sickle scaler, is a dental handpiece with a sharp, curved end used to check teeth for cavities and to remove plaque from the surface of teeth.
Try: The Free Dictionary offers detailed information on the sickle probe and an illustration of a sickle scaler.

Periodontal probe

A periodontal probe is a numbered instrument used by dentists and hygienists to measure the pocket depth of each tooth. The probe has a blunt end to protect delicate gums from puncture marks.
Try: Healthline.com offers extensive information on the types and styles of periodontal probes available and how the probes are used in the field of dentistry.

Dental mirror

A dental mirror is a handpiece used to inspect all areas of the surface of teeth for cavities. Mounted on a curved end of a probe, the mirror allows the dental professional to view hard-to-see areas of the mouth for optimal inspection
Try: Homedental.com offers more information on dental mirror types, styles and uses.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---