Operative instruments

Amalgam Carrier

This is a double ended amalgam carrier. The dentist or assistant "scoops" up the amalgam (silver filling material) and places into the opening of the tooth. This instrument is especially useful for large fillings, so that the dentist can flip it to the other end for the application of additional amalgam.

single ended

amalgam pluggers and condensers

Smooth Condenser

Serrated CondenserFunction: To pack and condense amalgam into cavity preparation

Interproximal CondenserFunction: To pack and condense amalgam into interproximal areas of the cavity preparation Characteristics: Ends are shaped to fit in the mesial or distal box. Smooth or serrated ends .

Football BurnisherFunction: To smooth Amalgam after condensing, to contour matrix band, to burnish amalgam Characteristics: Smooth football shaped metal instrument, single or double sided.

Acorn BurnisherFunction: To smooth amalgam after condensing, used to create occlusal anatomy, burnish amalgam Characteristics: Acorn shaped tip, metal, single or double sided.

T-Ball Burnisher Function: To Smooth amalgam after condensing; to contour matrix band, initiate carving and occlusal anatomy Characteristics: Smooth metal, has a ball and paddle single or double sided.

Beavertail Burnisher Function: To smooth amalgam after condensing; to burnish the lingual, facial amalgam walls of a restoration Characteristics: Similar shape to beaver tail, smooth metal, single or double sided.

Ball BurnisherFunction: To smooth amalgam after condensingTo contour matrix band before amalgam placement.

carver• Discoid-Cleoid Carver• Function: To carve occlusal anatomy into amalgam restorations

Characteristics: Double ended; Discoid is disk shaped; cleoid is pointed, sharp.

Woodson Function: Used as a burnisher and condenser Characteristics: Doubled ended, one end a condenser while other is paddle shaped.

Hollenback Carver

Function: To contour and carve occlusal and interproximal anatomy in amalgam restorations Characteristics: Double ended, sharp stiff metal blade, sharppoint; ends are protrude at different angles; carves other restorative materials.

Half-Hollenback Carver (2)Function: To contour and carve occlusal and interproximal anatomy in amalgam restorations Characteristics: Half the size of Hollenback (1); double ended, sharp stiff metal blade, sharp point; ends are protrude at different angles; carves other restorative materials.

Dycal/Liner Applicator

Function: To Place Calcium Hydroxide or Glass Ionomer Characteristics: Has short or long handle, similar to a tiny ball burnisher.

Tofflemire/Matrix Band Retainer

Function: To maintain stability of matrix band during condensation of restorations Characteristics: Has a guide slot, spindle, outer and inner knob.

Matrix Retainer Ivory 8N

Matrix retainer ivory n1

Excavatorthe tips resemble a spoon for removing the soft decay.

Hatchet Function: An instrument to accentuate line and point angles of internal and external outlines, remove unsupported enamel Characteristics: Cutting edges at differing angles.

Plastic InstrumentFunction: To carry composite material for cavity preparation, and shape composite, not for any other use Characteristics: Specially coated instrument, not for amalgam or any other use.

Dental tweezersDental tweezers, called "college tweezers," can be used for "placing small objects in the mouth and retrieving small objects from the mouth," according to "Basic Guide to Dental Instruments." College tweezers may "lock" to prevent dropping materials though they also come in nonlocking varieties. The working ends of college tweezers can be straight or curved, and serrated or smooth.

non locking tweezer

Locking tweezers

Cotton PliersThey look like tweezers and function the same way. Cotton pliers are also very useful to pick up small items and remove small items from the mouth. They are also used to to avoid contamination.

ExplorersThese are delicate, pointed instruments used for tactile examination of tooth surfaces and restorations to identify any irregularities.A-Straight Explorer(Left) & Curved Explorer(Right).Straight explorer is bent at 90 degrees. It is used to examine the occusal/top surface of teeth for tooth decay.Curved explorer is also used to examine the occusal/top surface of teeth for tooth decay.

B-Interproximal ExplorerThis explorer has 2 or more angles in the shank and exploring tip is pointed towards the handle. It is useful in examining the proximal/ side surfaces of the teeth for detecting caries.