The mouth mirror is used at every visit for indirect vision, illumination and retraction – and it is the instrument most often bought without much thought. Yet the mirror type decides whether you see a sharp image or a double one, and the thread type decides whether the mirror fits your handles at all. This guide covers the types, sizes and threads.
Mirror types
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Plain (plane) mirror | reflective layer behind the glass | economical, robust; slight double image at an angle |
| Front-surface mirror | reflective coating (typically rhodium) on the front of the glass – no double image | sharp, clear image for precision work and photography |
| HD mirror | high-definition front-surface mirror with brighter, higher-contrast reflection | detailed work, microscope and loupes; available in colour-coded versions |
| Microscopic HD mirror | very thin head (regular 1.5 mm or ultra-thin 0.7 mm) | microscope dentistry and endodontics, where the head must fit in tight spaces |
See plain mirrors, front-surface mirrors, HD mirrors and HD micro mirrors.
Sizes
Size 4 and size 5 are the most used. Size 5 is slightly larger and gives a better overview; size 4 is easier to manoeuvre in tight areas. Size 3 and mini mirrors are used for children, for the posterior region and for endodontic access. Plain and front-surface mirrors are available in sizes 3, 4 and 5; mini front-surface mirrors in three variants; HD mirrors in sizes 4 and 5.
Simple stem vs cone socket
Mouth mirrors and mirror handles exist with two thread types, and they cannot be mixed:
- Simple stem – a straight threaded stem on the mirror screws into the handle.
- Cone socket – a tapered (conical) thread.
A mirror only fits a handle with the same thread. Before ordering, check which type your clinic's existing mirrors and handles use: a straight thread is simple stem, a conical one is cone socket. Mirror handles are available for both types in ErgoX, ErgoX Plus, ErgoLite and ErgoSteel – see mirror handles – and mirrors for both types under mirrors. If you are unsure which thread a specific mirror or handle has, contact us with the item number before ordering.
Handles and ergonomics
Because the mirror is held for long periods in the non-dominant hand, weight and grip matter. ErgoLite mirror handles are the lightest (about 14 g) and colour-coded; ErgoX (11.5 mm) and ErgoX Plus (13.7 mm) offer two grip sizes; ErgoSteel is the classic steel handle. Diameters are listed at ergodenta.dk/ergohandles; see also our handle guide.
Care
Front-surface and HD mirrors have their coating on the outside of the glass, so they are more sensitive to scratches than plain mirrors: avoid contact with rotary instruments and abrasive cleaning, and store them so the face is protected. Reprocess according to the IFU; ErgoDenta's guidance is at ergodenta.dk/care. Replace a mirror when the image becomes dull or scratched – a worn mirror costs time at every visit.
Choosing a mirror for loupes and microscopes
Magnification makes a double image from a plain mirror obvious, so operators using loupes almost always move to front-surface or HD mirrors. Under the microscope the mirror head itself becomes the limiting factor – it has to fit beside the handpiece and the retractor – which is what the microscopic HD mirrors with 1.5 mm (regular) and 0.7 mm (ultra-thin) heads are for. They are available in several head shapes under HD micro mirrors.
Colour-coded HD mirrors
HD mirrors are available in sizes 4 and 5 with blue, green, pink or black colour-coding, so each operator or each cassette can have its own mirror. Combined with colour-coded handles and rings, the whole examination set can be identified at a glance.
Checklist before ordering mirrors or handles
- Which thread do your existing handles use – simple stem or cone socket? Look at a mirror you already own: straight thread or conical.
- Which mirror type do you want – plain for economy, front-surface for a sharp image, HD for loupes and colour-coding, micro HD for the microscope?
- Which size – 4 or 5 for general use, 3 or mini for children and tight access?
- Which handle – ErgoLite for minimum weight, ErgoX or ErgoX Plus for grip size, ErgoSteel for a classic steel feel? Diameters at ergodenta.dk/ergohandles.
- If any item number is unclear, ask us before ordering – matching thread types is the one thing that cannot be fixed afterwards.
Where the instruments come from
InstruDent is ErgoDenta ApS' webshop; mirrors, handles and the ErgoLite series are described by the manufacturer at ergodenta.dk/ergolite and ergodenta.dk/about-us.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a front-surface and a plain mirror?
The front-surface mirror has its coating on the front of the glass and gives a sharp image without a double contour; the plain mirror is cheaper but shows a slight double image.
Which size should I choose?
Size 4 or 5 for general dentistry; size 3 or mini for children and tight access.
Can I buy the mirror and handle separately?
Yes – as long as the thread type matches.
Plain, front-surface, HD and micro mirrors, and mirror handles in ErgoX, ErgoX Plus, ErgoLite and ErgoSteel.
Shop diagnostics
Sources and notes
Product range and item numbers: InstruDent/ErgoDenta product records, September 2026. Handle dimensions: ergodenta.dk/ergohandles. Reprocessing: ErgoDenta Care / instructions for use (ergodenta.dk/care). Instrument design and classic areas of use follow standard periodontology and operative dentistry textbooks.
Professional note: instrument selection and treatment technique are clinical decisions. This guide describes instrument design and intended use, not treatment protocols.