{"id":239,"date":"2014-07-07T09:00:05","date_gmt":"2014-07-07T09:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/?p=239"},"modified":"2016-08-06T13:20:38","modified_gmt":"2016-08-06T17:20:38","slug":"dental-tools-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/dental-tools-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Tools 101: What does a Dentist Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"what<\/a>What Does\u00a0a\u00a0Dentist Use?<\/h2>\n

When you visit Dr. Wolnik for your regular dental cleanings and check-ups<\/a>, you might have noticed that he uses a wide variety of tools to clean your teeth, but what exactly are those contraptions? We\u2019ve got a quick guide to each of the standard dental tools that Dr. Wolnik might utilize during your exam and why.<\/p>\n

Meet Dr. Wolnik<\/a><\/p>\n

Dental Mirror <\/b><\/h3>\n

These small, round mirrors are specially angled to help Dr. Wolnik see hidden areas in your mouth such as the backs of your teeth. Dental mirrors reflect light and help improve visibility in the deeper parts of the mouth and throat.<\/p>\n

Explorer <\/b><\/h3>\n

Also known as a sickle probe, the explorer is equipped with a pointed hook at the end of its slim handle. Dr. Wolnik and his hygienists use this tool to touch the surface of each tooth and look for the soft areas that can be an indicator of tooth decay. Explorer number 23 is the most commonly used sickle probe, and is also called the shepherd\u2019s hook.<\/p>\n

Cotton Pliers <\/b><\/h3>\n

A pair of cotton pliers is one of the most important instruments Dr. Wolnik uses. These pliers are a tiny tool similar to tweezers, in both looks and functionality. Cotton pliers are used to avoid contamination when Dr. Wolnik picks up a small item or removes one from your mouth.<\/p>\n

Excavators <\/b><\/h3>\n

Excavators are a group of instruments used to cut into your teeth and remove any decaying material. You will see Dr. Wolnik use the three types of excavators during a simple cavity repair:<\/p>\n