A quick reference for clinicians, assistants, students and buyers.
A–C
- Alveoloplasty — reshaping the alveolar bone, often after extractions.
- Autoclave — a steam steriliser.
- Bayonet — an instrument with an offset between handle and working end.
- Beak — the gripping part of extraction forceps.
- Box joint — a hinge where one half passes through a slot in the other.
- Burnisher — an instrument that smooths and adapts material.
- Carver — shapes restorative material.
- Cassette — a box holding instruments during use and reprocessing.
- Condenser — packs restorative material.
- Curette — a spoon- or blade-shaped instrument for scaling or debridement.
D–H
- Double-ended (DE) — working ends on both ends of the handle.
- Elevator — a lever used to loosen teeth or roots.
- Explorer — a fine, pointed diagnostic instrument.
- Forceps — a hinged instrument for grasping.
- Furcation — the area where roots divide.
- Gracey curette — an area-specific curette with an offset blade.
- Haemostat — a locking clamp.
L–P
- Luxator — a thin, sharp elevator for cutting the PDL.
- Matrix — a band that forms a temporary wall for a restoration.
- Needle holder — grips a suture needle.
- OEM — original equipment manufacturer.
- Passivation — a treatment that strengthens stainless steel’s corrosion resistance.
- PDL — periodontal ligament.
- Periosteal elevator — lifts soft tissue from bone.
- Periotome — a very thin instrument for cutting PDL fibres.
- Private label — products sold under the buyer’s brand.
R–T
- Ratchet — the locking teeth on haemostats and needle holders.
- Retractor — holds soft tissue away from the site.
- Rongeur — a bone-cutting forceps.
- Scaler — removes calculus.
- Serrations — ridges that improve grip.
- Shank — the part connecting handle and working end.
- SKU — stock-keeping unit code.
- Tungsten carbide (TC) — a hard material used for inserts and edges.
See also: surgical instrument basics.
