Mouth mirrors and dental burs are classified as which type of supply?

Mouth mirrors and dental burs fall under the category of expendable supplies because they are items that are used during dental procedures but are not designed for long-term use. Expendable supplies are typically single-use or limited-use products that are essential for specific tasks and must be replaced after they are used or when they become compromised.

Mouth mirrors are used for visualizing areas in the mouth and may become scratched or damaged after repeated use, requiring replacement. Dental burs, which are used in dental handpieces for various cutting and grinding tasks, also wear down with use and need to be replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness and ensure patient safety.

In contrast, disposable items are meant to be used once and discarded, whereas nonexpendable supplies are those that can be reused multiple times without becoming ineffective. Major equipment refers to larger or more expensive devices that are less frequent to replace, such as dental chairs or x-ray machines.