Get Complete Information on Restorative Instruments Used by Dentist

Spatula

It is used for mixing of restorative materials. Some of these spatulas can cause discoloration of the material being mixed.

The selection of a mixing spatula is not critical except when preparing a permanent anterior composite restoration.

Some composite restoration material discolors easily, so use the spatulas provided by the manufacturer when working with it.

They have flat, wide nibs with blunt edges and straight shank. They are available in different sizes and stiffness. They are made up of stainless steel or plastic.

Plastic filling instruments

Plastic filling instruments are used to place and condense pliable restorative materials and to place cement bases in the cavity preparation. It is also called as cement carrier.

They are made up of stainless steel, ivory or plastic, and are usually double ended. They have flat sides with blunt corners. They may have Teflon coating to minimize adhesion and facilitate easy cleaning.

Plugger end:

This end is flat, round and nonserrated, and looks like smooth condenser. Paddle end: It is flat and elongated.

Uses of Plastic filling instruments

Paddle end:

To carry and handle materials after mixing while material is in plastic/ sticky stage.

Plugger end:

To condense the material into a prepared cavity

Condensing Instruments

(i) They have a hammer-like working end, which is large enough to compress the soft amalgam without sinking into it. The working end of the condenser is called “face”, and the blade is called “nib”.

(ii) They are available in different shapes, shank angles and curvatures.

(iii) They may be single-ended or double-ended. Double-ended instruments have one end smaller and other larger.

(iv) Amalgam condensers are often called “pluggers”.

Types of condensing instruments

According to shape:

(i) Round

(ii) Triangular

(iii) Parallelogram.

According to basis of surface:

(i) Smooth surface for amalgam

(ii) Serrated surface for gold.

Uses of condensing instrument

(i) For condensing restorative materials

(ii) For root canal obturation with hot gutta percha.

Burnishers

Burnishers are the instruments with smooth-faced nibs, and with different undulations and curvature of the shank.

Shapes of Burnishers

(i) Ball-shaped

(ii) Egg-shaped

(iii) Apple-shaped

(iv) Beaver tail-shaped

(v) Conical

(vi) Fishtail-shaped

(vii) Bullet-shaped.

Uses of Burnishers

(i) For initial carving of amalgam.

(ii) To burnish the amalgam before and after condensing so as to adapt amalgam to the margins of restorations, reducing chances of leakage and deficient margins (Pre-carve and postcarve burnishing).

(iii) To contour the matrix band according to the contour of the tooth.

Carvers

Carvers are usually double-ended instruments and are available in different sizes.

Shapes of Carvers

Working end is of different shapes.

(i) Flat (Hollenback carver)

(ii) Discoid (disc shape)

(iii) Cleoid (pointed like claw of bird toe)

(iv) Diamond.

Uses of Carvers

They are used for carving of amalgam restoration. The sharp end is used for carving the occlusal anatomy like grooves and marginal ridge. Operator preference and shape of the restoration will dictate which cover is required.