Dental examination kit consists of dental mirror, dental forceps, and probes. These tools usually constitute the instruments used by dentists in any regular checkup. They make up minimal consultation kit of the dentist, or hand tools. Even the latest kits designed for individual dental care used home, contain these instruments for self-control. They are a good starting point to study dental instruments.

Dental mirror consists of three segments: the handle, rod, and active part. The handle may be of plastic on the disposable ones or it can be stainless steel, sterilizable. It has on its length ribbings that allow better grip on the instrument. The rod is thin, slightly angled and unites the active part to the handle. The active part is the mirror itself, which usually has a round shape and it can be simple or double (with double-sided reflective parts), concave or flat. The usefulness of this tool is to reflect light and to provide a clear reflection and the same size as in reality for intraoral imaging. There are also dental mirrors with their own light source or with image magnification effect. In principle, the dentist uses dental mirror to examine the faces of teeth that are impossible or difficult to see, for removal of the tongue or cheek during maneuvers, to keep safety and good visibility.

Dental Probe is a tool for exploration, and it is also made up of handle, rod, and active part. The handle can be plastic or metallic, rod is bent so as it allows access in less accessible areas and active part can be single or double (one / two ends), with which the dentist examines by touching the presence of any caries on the enamel surface, possible secondary caries under the old incorrectly adjusted fillings, or the edges of the inlay and dental crowns. The dental probe can evaluate the sensitivity or insensitivity of the tooth, in control of the stages of endodontic treatment. There are also flexible probes that have as active part tapered needles used in both endodontic treatment, and the evaluation and diagnosis (e.g. locating cracks situated on the ceiling of the pulp chamber).

Caution: Do not use dental probe in periodontal exam!

Periodontal probe is used to measure the gap depth between the gum and tooth. It must have a maximum depth of 3mm, otherwise periodontal disease is diagnosed.

WHO periodontal probe is a minimally invasive probe, which has a slim, ball rounded tip. The material of which is made of is stainless steel resistant to any type of disinfection and sterilization. It has printed a dark mark, which starts from 0.5, 3.5, 5.5, 8.5 to 11.5, durable and easy to interpret, to determine the periodontal status.

Dental forceps is an instrument composed of two active arms, with different angulation, with flat or serrated peaks, made of plastic on disposable instruments or sterilizable stainless steel, with different uses. It is used to handle sterile materials and small instruments, also for the introduction and removal of sterile compresses on the oral cavity.