What are the different types of dental supplies?

Dental supplies encompass the instruments, materials, consumables, protective products, and equipment used to examine patients, perform treatments, control infection, and maintain a dental practice.

Major dental supply categories include:
1. Disposable consumables: saliva ejectors, suction tips, cotton rolls, applicators, cups, and syringe tips
2. Examination supplies: mirrors, explorers, probes, trays, and patient bibs
3. Infection-control products: gloves, masks, disinfectants, sterilization pouches, indicators, and surface barriers
4. Restorative materials: composites, bonding agents, liners, cements, matrices, wedges, and finishing products
5. Preventive supplies: fluoride products, sealants, prophylaxis paste, brushes, cups, and scalers
6. Endodontic supplies: files, reamers, gutta-percha, irrigants, absorbent points, and temporary materials
7. Oral surgery supplies: sutures, blades, needles, gauze, suction products, and surgical instruments
8. Impression and prosthodontic materials: trays, impression materials, bite-registration products, and temporary crown materials
9. Orthodontic supplies: brackets, wires, ligatures, elastics, adhesives, and orthodontic instruments

Dental practices also require larger equipment, including dental chairs, imaging systems, handpieces, sterilizers, compressors, suction systems, and laboratory devices. Product selection depends on the services offered, regulatory requirements, patient volume, compatibility, and infection-control protocols.