Multi-purpose dental mirrors and related dental instruments

A dental instrument comprising:

• an elongate member having a blunt end that is configured for exerting pressure on a first area of tissue, said first area of tissue being adjacent a second area of tissue that is to be injected by a hypodermic needle;
• and
• a needle guide having both an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said outlet portion being defined adjacent said blunt end of said elongate member, wherein:
• said needle guide comprises an interior passage, said interior passage extending between said inlet portion and said outlet portion, and wherein said interior passage (a) is substantially curved, (b) is substantially L-shaped, (c) comprises a portion having a substantially oval cross-section, or (d) comprises a portion that is substantially funnel shaped;
• and
• said needle guide is adapted to receive an end portion of a hypodermic needle adjacent said inlet portion and is adapted to physically guide said end portion of said hypodermic needle from said inlet portion to said outlet portion.

A needle guide comprising:

• an inlet portion;
• an outlet portion, and
• an interior passage defined between said inlet portion and said outlet portion, wherein:
• said needle guide is adapted to receive an end portion of a hypodermic needle adjacent said inlet portion and to physically guide said end portion of said hypodermic needle from said inlet portion to said outlet portion, and
• said needle guide is adapted to be removably attached adjacent a dental mirror.

A dental instrument comprising:

• an elongate handle having a first end and a second end;
• and
• a mirror attached adjacent said first end of said elongate handle, wherein:
• said handle defines a recess adjacent said second end of said handle, said recess being adapted to substantially conform to a portion of a patient's tooth, and said dental instrument is adapted to allow a user to:
• position said dental mirror so that a portion of a particular tooth is received within said recess;
• while said portion of said particular tooth is disposed within said recess, using said dental instrument to exert a lateral force on said particular tooth;
• and
• observing whether said particular tooth moves in response to said lateral force being exerted on said particular tooth.