One of the most common and most essential instruments in a dental office is a mouth mirror also known as a dental mirror. Without this tool, a dentist will not be able to efficiently examine the oral cavity of his/her patients.

A mouth mirror is an instrument used to view tooth surfaces that cannot be seen by direct vision. This tool consists of a head mirror, which is usually round with a stainless-steel handle that dentists hold when examining the patient’s teeth and surrounding structures of the mouth.

There are three main functions of a mouth mirror – indirect vision, retraction, and light reflection.

• Indirect vision: There are many areas in the mouth where direct vision is impossible. Using a mouth mirror will allow dentists to view specific locations where visibility is a challenge. Without a mouth mirror, a dentist will have to bend upside down which could lead to postural problems. The lingual surfaces of the anterior maxillary teeth are one of the most common areas where dental mirrors are used.
• Retraction: Dentists need to retract the surrounding tissue like cheek and tongue to gain better visualization and accessibility for instrumentation. With the use of a mouth mirror, retraction of tongue and cheek is more accessible and more convenient. The patient will not feel any irritation during retraction because the mirror is smooth.
• Light Reflection: There are some parts of the mouth where it is difficult to illuminate. A dental mirror is used to reflect light from the dental chairs light and illuminate some of the deep and detailed areas of the oral cavity.

Picture Credit: Nadezhda Moryak

If you need mouth mirrors for your dental office, please visit us at Dens ‘N Dente. Your dental work will become easier with the use of mouth mirrors!

-The Dens ‘N Dente Team