Nothing reflects your personality better than a beautiful smile. But, you wouldn’t be confident about your smile if your teeth are crooked or rough. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, crooked or uneven teeth can have a psychological effect on one’s well-being.
In most cases, your teeth can be polished and made smoother with the help of dental polishers. Polishing removes teeth staining and also makes the enamel of your teeth glossy.
Let’s have a look at the various dental polishers and which one you can use to polish your teeth.
Various Types of Dental Polishers
Earlier, dentists used to conduct selective polishing of the teeth that were stained, but now they do it for all patients who come to get their teeth cleaned or scaled. There are different types of dental polishers. They vary in shapes and the types of material they can be used on, i.e., porcelain, ceramics, or composite.
Let’s have a look at the various types of dental polishers.
Bullet-Shaped Polishers
As the name suggests, these dental polishers are shaped like a bullet, and some of them have a more pointed tip than the others. They undergo diamond-impregnated polishing for zirconia and can be used for polishing composite teeth.
Cone-Shaped Polishers
This type of polisher has a conical shape, and its roundness depends on how coarse or fine its surface is. They are made from silicone and have an aluminum oxide coating. You can find these in varying levels of thickness, and they are more suited for smoothening acrylic teeth.
Cup-Shaped Polishers
Cup-shaped polishers have a round exterior and are hollow in the middle. This allows them to polish the teeth from all around. These polishers are made from high-quality porcelain, which makes them suitable for polishing and smoothing.
Cylinder-Shaped Polishers
These polishers are available in long and wide variants, and they can be used for different purposes. They are available in different types and can be used for ceramics and acrylics.
Disc-Shaped Polishers
These types of polishers have a round surface and are slightly elevated from the middle. They are also made from diamond-impregnated polishing for zirconia, and most of them are single-use polishers.
Flame-Shaped Polishers
Flame-shaped polishers are similar to cone and bullet-shaped polishers, but their surface and tip resemble a flame’s shape when you light a matchstick. They are made from porcelain and come in various levels of thickness and coarseness. They are mostly used for composite teeth.
Flat End Taper Polishers
The flat end taper polishers are diamond polishers that can be used for smoothing ceramic teeth. Their tapered end makes it easier to use them on the smaller teeth located at the sides. They are specially used for ceramics and acrylics.
Gumdrop-Shaped Polishers
These types of dental polishers are gumdrop-shaped, and you can find them in various levels of coarseness. They can be used for pre-polishing and smoothing your teeth and also to remove stains. These polishers are suitable for acrylic teeth.
Knife Edge Polishers
Similar to disc-shaped polishers, knife-edge polishers have a rounded and thin edge, along with a slightly elevated top. You can find these in different materials, and they can be used for polishing and smoothing composites and ceramics.
Point-Shaped Polishers
Point-shaped polishers are similar in appearance to flame polishers. You can find them in fine, medium, long point, coarse, and many others. They are also available in different levels of thickness, and they are mostly used for pre-polishing and polishing acrylic teeth.
Round End Barrel Polishers
These polishers have a similar shape to gumdrop-shaped polishers, and they also have the same coarseness. Moreover, they are used for acrylic teeth.
Torpedo-Shaped Polishers
Among the many types of dental polishers are torpedo-shaped polishers. They have a cylindrical structure with a pointed tip for smoothing teeth. It is also available in various levels of coarseness and can be used for ceramics and acrylics.
Which One Should You Choose?
Polishing your teeth from time to time is an important procedure. The NCBI also recommends you do it regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Since there are so many different shapes of dental polishers out there, it is always best to consult your dentist to find out which one is more suitable for you.
Taking care of your teeth and giving them complete attention is important. It also keeps you from periodontal diseases and other problems. Therefore, you should visit your dentist regularly to maintain that beautiful smile!