Excavators remove softened, carious dentin from the cavity. The spoon-shaped cutting edge, ground all round, removes the tissue in a controlled way without unnecessarily weakening healthy tooth structure. Especially near the pulp, many dentists prefer the hand instrument to the round bur because the hardness of the dentin can be felt well with an excavator. All excavators are made of stainless steel and can be autoclaved at up to 134 °C.
Excavators at a glance
| Type | Shape | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Black excavators | classic spoons, various sizes | caries removal in cavities of all sizes |
| Double-ended excavators 125/126 to 153/154 | two spoons, angled in opposite directions | mesial and distal walls with one instrument |
| Mesial and distal excavators (e.g. 26, 27, 28, 29) | angled on one side | targeted access to one cavity wall |
| Discoid-Cleoid | disc- and claw-shaped ends | excavating and carving or modelling fillings |
| Goldstein Interproximal, Flexi-Thin | very slender | interproximal space and narrow areas |
Which size?
Small spoons suit narrow cavities and the cervical area; larger ones suit deep lesions in the posterior region. A spoon roughly the size of the cavity works most effectively. If it is too small, excavation takes longer; if it is too large, it does not reach the margins.
Sharpness and care
Only a sharp excavator cuts softened dentin cleanly instead of smearing it. Check the edge regularly and resharpen it when needed. After treatment, clean, reprocess and sterilise at up to 134 °C.
Goes well with: filling instruments, mouth mirrors and probes. For reprocessing, read our guide Instrument care and reprocessing.
Frequently asked questions about excavators
What is an excavator in dentistry?
A hand instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped working end used to remove carious, softened dentin from the tooth.
What do numbers such as 125/126 mean?
They are catalogue numbers for double-ended excavators. The two ends are angled in opposite directions so that you can reach the mesial and distal walls with one instrument.
Excavator or round bur?
Both are used. The bur works faster; the excavator is gentler and gives better tactile feedback, especially near the pulp.
How does it differ from an elevator?
An elevator or root elevator loosens teeth for extraction. An excavator removes caries. Because the names are similar, the two are often confused. Root elevators are in root elevators and luxators.
