Saliva Ejector
A saliva ejector is a low-volume suction device used in dental procedures to remove saliva and water, keeping the mouth dry and treatment precise.
Category: Dental Equipment & Materials
Modern dentistry runs on a long inventory of instruments, materials, and consumables — and the language is dense. This section of the Rebrief Dental Glossary defines the equipment a dental operatory uses every day, plus the restorative and impression materials that go in patients’ mouths. On the equipment side: handpieces (high-speed, low-speed), articulators, autoclaves, biological sterilization indicators, ultrasonic scalers, and the burs (carbide, diamond) and polishing instruments that finish a restoration. On the materials side: amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer, calcium hydroxide liners, alginate and polyvinyl siloxane impression materials, lithium disilicate ceramic, and the cements (polycarboxylate, dual-cure resin, temporary) that lute indirect restorations. We also cover digital workflow tools — 3D dental printing, CAD/CAM, intraoral scanners — and the consumables (acid etching gel, dental dam, retraction cord, matrix systems) that make routine procedures predictable. Each entry explains what the item is, what it’s used for, the clinical context where it matters, and links to related procedures and conditions. This is the longest subcategory in the glossary because the inventory is genuinely large. Use the search to jump straight to a term, or browse alphabetically below.
Prophy Angle
A prophy angle is the rotating handpiece attachment used to polish teeth during prophylaxis. Learn how it works and its role in preventive dental care.
Impression Compound
Impression compound is a thermoplastic dental material used for border molding and edentulous impressions. Explore its types, uses, and key properties.
Rubber Dam Frame
A rubber dam frame holds the dental dam taut during procedures for a dry, isolated field. Explore frame types, clinical uses, and why proper selection matters.
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a biocompatible endodontic material for pulp capping, apexification, and root repair. Learn its key properties.
Facebow (Dental)
A dental facebow records the spatial relationship of the upper arch to the TMJ for precise articulator mounting in prosthetics and restorative dentistry.
Polyether Impression Material
Polyether impression material delivers superior dimensional accuracy for dental crowns and implants. Learn its properties, uses, and clinical limitations.
Low-Speed Handpiece
A low-speed handpiece powers cavity preparation, polishing, and endodontic care — learn how this essential dental instrument works and why it matters.
Polyvinyl Siloxane Impression
A polyvinyl siloxane impression delivers gold-standard accuracy for crowns, bridges, and implants. Discover how this addition silicone material works and why clinicians rely on it.
Gracey Curette
Gracey Curettes are area-specific instruments for subgingival scaling and root planing, featuring an offset blade for precise calculus and deposit removal.