How Are End Mills Used In Dentistry

When you think about having your teeth drilled at the dentist's office, you may imagine a dentist using a large electrical drill on your teeth that is the same as what is used at construction sites. However, this is not the case at all. Dentists have specialized drills that use end mills instead of standard drill bits so that precision cuts can be made in the teeth. These end mills are also used for other dental procedures as well. These are some of the ways dentists use end mills to make your teeth healthy and beautiful.

Drilling Away Cavities

If you have cavities in your teeth, there are two options to get rid of them. You can have the decayed teeth extracted or the cavities can be drilled away. If the cavity does not go deep into the root of the tooth, the dentist is more likely to use the drill.

However, if the cavity takes up a large portion of your tooth, he may choose to extract the tooth instead. Drills are also used to file down jagged edges of the teeth to give them a straighter, more attractive finish.

Preparing for Veneers

If you are having veneers put on your teeth, the dentist will often use the drill and end mill to shape the teeth that will be covered. This makes attaching the veneers easier and will make them fit your natural teeth better.

The outside of your teeth will be shaped to fit snugly inside the veneers. Then, the teeth that will be veneered will be coated with an adhesive sealant. When the veneers are applied to the teeth, they bond to the natural teeth and remain in place for several years with proper care.

Making Prosthetics

Drills and long reaching end mills are also used in making prosthetics for the teeth. This includes dentures, partials and some customized mouth guards as well. The end mills that are attached to the drill allows the dentist to shape and file dental prosthetics as needed to ensure they fit properly.

Using the drill and end mill also helps the dentist to design dental prosthetics so they will look more like the patients natural teeth. These tools are especially helpful when making partials because the artificial teeth can be made to look almost identical to the natural teeth so the partial will not even be noticeable.

With the wide variety of types and sizes of end mills that are available today, dentists can perform more dental services than in the past. These tools have enabled dentists to satisfy their customers more easily by greatly improving their smiles.


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