---
title: An Overview of Modern Dental Technology
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/an-overview-of-modern-dental-technology/"
type: post
date_published: 2013-01-14
date_modified: 2013-01-14
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 380
reading_time: 2 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/an-overview-of-modern-dental-technology/"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Dental Assisting
---

# An Overview of Modern Dental Technology

Dental Assistants are responsible for a wide variety of on-the-job tasks, with
duties including everything from making patients as comfortable as possible in
the dentist’s chair, to obtaining and maintaining patient records, and
everything in between. As you begin your
[career in Dental Assisting](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/dental-assisting/how-to-become-a-dental-assistant/)
, it is important to familiarize yourself with the various tools and equipment
you will be using on a day-to-day basis.

As a Dental Assistant, you will be responsible for operating and sterilizing a
range of sophisticated equipment and instruments. Many dental tools are used to
keep the patient’s mouth dry and clear of debris to aid the dentist’s visibility
and make the patient more comfortable. Most Dental Assistant responsibilities do
not include using any invasive equipment, like drills. The most commonly used
tools include the suction hose, high-volume evacuator, and air-water syringe.

Dental Assistants use the suction hose (also commonly referred to as a saliva
ejector or spit-suction device) to help keep the patient’s mouth clean and dry.
This instrument is typically white in color and consists of a flexible tube
attached to a handle. The suction hose tool removes saliva and tooth particles
that may be loosened by the dentist’s drill, improving the dentist’s visibility.

While the suction hose is used for saliva and small debris, the high-volume
evacuator is a larger version of the suction hose and is used to vacuum away
larger debris. This device looks similar to a suction hose, only wider. This
tool is essential during oral surgery, root canals, and fillings, and prevents
any pieces that are dislodged during a procedure from becoming a choking hazard.

The air-water syringe has a long, thin tube from which both air and water are
expelled. The air-water syringe is used to inject small streams of water or air
into the patient’s mouth to clean precise spots or to break free small pieces of
a tooth.

To learn more about Dental Assisting and how you can get started in a career in
oral health,
[contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/).

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of January 14, 2013._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs