Buy Dental Double-Ended Explorers With Unmatched Quality

Fortec Dental Instruments • Mirrors

Dental Mirrors Collection – Clear Reflections, Scratch-Resistant & Built for Every Examination

At Fortec, we understand that a dental mirror is not just an accessory — it is the gateway to the hidden areas of the mouth and a silent partner in every check-up. Our dental mouth mirrors are not just made but engineered for bright, accurate reflections, scratch-resistant durability, and effortless clinical use. Available in No.4 (22mm) and No.5 (24mm) in both Cone Socket and Simple Stem configurations — crafted from North American and European standard stainless steel.

Why Choose Fortec Dental Mirrors

Designed to deliver clear, distortion-free visibility in every corner of the mouth — our mirrors help dental professionals spot early issues faster and work more confidently throughout every examination.

Bright, accurate reflections that improve visibility in posterior and hard-to-reach oral regions during routine and complex exams.
Scratch-resistant finish maintains clarity and dependability through repeated daily use and sterilization cycles.
Cone Socket compatibility allows quick, tool-free mirror head changes — compatible with all Fortec Cone Socket handles.
Simple Stem compatibility provides a firm, twist-in connection for consistent, play-free performance every session.
Hand-finished craftsmanship with a controlled manufacturing process ensures long-lasting shape and surface quality.

Where Fortec Leads the Way

Our mirrors are available in four variants — No.4 (22mm) Cone Socket, No.5 (24mm) Cone Socket, No.4 (22mm) Simple Stem, and No.5 (24mm) Simple Stem — giving every dental professional the exact size and connection type for their preferred handle and procedure.

Built using North American and European standard stainless steel, forged and finished with advanced manufacturing techniques. Every mirror is individually produced under a controlled process and backed by a warranty against defects in material and workmanship.

CE Certified ISO 9001 ISO 13485 FDA Compliant

Upgrade Your Dental Mirrors Today

No examination should be compromised by a low-quality mirror. Choose Fortec dental mouth mirrors — clear, durable, and precisely engineered in No.4 and No.5 sizes, in both Cone Socket and Simple Stem designs, for dental professionals who demand reliable visibility and consistent performance at every appointment.

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FAQ – Standard Double Ended Explorers | Fortec Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Fortec's standard double-ended dental explorers — models, tip designs, clinical uses, and care.

01 What standard double-ended explorer models does Fortec carry and how much do they cost?

Fortec carries 7 standard double-ended explorer models in its Diagnostic collection:

1 Explorer — $11.55
2 Explorer — $11.55
3 Explorer — $11.55
5 Explorer — $11.55
6/3 Explorer — $11.55
23/6 Explorer — $9.35
11/12 Explorer — $18.69

All are crafted from North American and European standard stainless steel, forged and hand-finished for precise tactile performance. Every model is in stock and available for immediate order.

02 What is a double-ended explorer and how is it used in a dental examination?

A double-ended explorer is a diagnostic dental instrument with a sharp, fine working tip at each end of the handle. Unlike single-ended instruments, the two tips are typically angled differently or carry different tip designs — allowing the clinician to access mesial and distal surfaces, buccal and lingual surfaces, or anterior and posterior teeth without ever switching instruments. Explorers work by tactile feedback: the sharp tip is moved lightly across tooth surfaces and into sulci to detect caries, calculus deposits, overhangs, cracks, defective margins, and furcation involvement. Fortec's double-ended design delivers excellent tactile sensitivity while helping detect decay and calculus at the earliest stage for better patient outcomes.

03 What is the 11/12 Explorer and when should I use it?

The 11/12 Explorer ($18.69) is a double-ended instrument with mirror-image working ends — one end curved for the right side of the mouth and the other for the left, allowing complete access around all tooth surfaces without repositioning the patient. It is widely regarded as one of the most important instruments for dental hygienists, specifically engineered for subgingival and supragingival calculus detection. The long, curved shank design allows the tip to follow root contours deep into periodontal pockets, making it essential for thorough periodontal assessments, caries detection in interproximal areas, and evaluation of furcations and restorations. Its premium price of $18.69 reflects its advanced design compared to standard explorer models.

04 What is the 5 Explorer and what makes it a popular all-purpose choice?

The 5 Explorer ($11.55) — also known as the 17/23 Explorer — is one of the most versatile and widely used diagnostic instruments in general dentistry. It combines a No. 17 tip on one end, which is specifically designed for subgingival calculus detection in interproximal, oral, and facial locations including deep gingival pockets, with a No. 23 shepherd's hook tip on the other end for supragingival caries and calculus detection. This dual-tip combination makes it ideal for both routine examinations and more detailed periodontal assessments in a single instrument, significantly reducing the need to change tools mid-examination.

05 What is the 23/6 Explorer and why is it the most affordable model in the range?

The 23/6 Explorer ($9.35) is the entry-level model in the Fortec explorer range, making it the most cost-effective choice for practices looking for a dependable standard explorer at the lowest price point. It pairs the classic No. 23 shepherd's hook tip — the most commonly used explorer tip in general dentistry for occlusal and interproximal caries detection — with a No. 6 tip, which has a longer, more curved shank suited to posterior access and subgingival exploration. Its affordable $9.35 price makes it ideal for stocking in bulk, equipping dental students, or setting up new clinical trays without compromising on instrument quality or stainless steel craftsmanship.

06 What are Explorers 1, 2, 3, and 6/3 used for, and how do they differ?

All four models are priced at $11.55 and are purpose-built for caries and calculus detection, pocket characteristic exploration, furcation assessment, and restoration evaluation — the same core diagnostic tasks, each with a different shank geometry and tip angle to suit different tooth surfaces and clinical preferences.

Explorer 1 — a general-purpose tip combination suited to anterior and premolar regions.
Explorer 2 — slightly different angulation for improved access in specific posterior quadrants.
Explorer 3 — a cowhorn or pigtail-style tip combination, providing excellent interproximal tactile feedback, especially in tight contact areas.
6/3 Explorer — pairs the curved No. 6 tip (ideal for posterior and subgingival access) with the No. 3 pigtail tip for comprehensive anterior-to-posterior coverage in a single instrument.

Selecting between these models typically comes down to the clinician's preferred grip style and the areas of the mouth most frequently examined.

07 How do Fortec double-ended explorers differ from Expros in the same Diagnostic collection?

The key difference is what each instrument does on its second end. Standard double-ended explorers carry an explorer tip on both ends — two different explorer geometries on a single handle, both optimised purely for tactile caries and calculus detection. Expros (available separately at $15.99 each) are hybrid instruments that pair an explorer tip on one end with a probe tip on the other, allowing clinicians to both detect decay and measure periodontal pocket depths without switching instruments. Choose standard double-ended explorers when your examination focus is purely caries and calculus detection with maximum tip variety; choose Expros when you need explorer and probing capability combined in a single pass.

08 What material are Fortec explorers made from and are they autoclave-compatible?

All Fortec double-ended explorers are manufactured from North American and European standard stainless steel — forged, constructed with advanced techniques, and hand-finished for quality craftsmanship. This premium steel grade maintains its sharpness, corrosion resistance, and structural integrity through repeated autoclave sterilization cycles, ensuring consistent tactile feedback examination after examination. The handle pattern is designed for a friendly, ergonomic grip, and each instrument is produced under a controlled manufacturing process for long-lasting clinical life. All models are fully conformed to CE, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and FDA standards, and carry a warranty against defects in material and workmanship.

09 Does Fortec offer free shipping on explorers across Canada?

Yes — Fortec offers free Canada-wide shipping on all orders over $195 before taxes, shipping from their warehouse at 1011 Hualtain Court, Unit 14, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 1W1. Explorer prices range from $9.35 to $18.69, so most practices reach the free shipping threshold by combining explorers with other instruments from Fortec's Diagnostic range — such as mirror handles ($4.50), dressing pliers ($15.99), Expros ($15.99), or screening probes. Fortec's customer care team is available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 1-855-790-7779 or at info@fortec.ca for order assistance. Full details are on the Shipping Policy page.

10 How do I care for and maintain Fortec double-ended explorers to keep tips sharp?

Rinse explorer tips with clean water immediately after each use to prevent calculus, blood, and debris from drying and hardening onto the fine working ends. Avoid abrasive cleaning pads or bleach-based solutions that can corrode the stainless steel tip over time. When loading cassette trays for sterilization, position explorers so that the sharp tips do not contact other instrument tips — tip-to-tip contact during autoclaving is a leading cause of blunting. Inspect explorer tips regularly under magnification or good lighting: a blunted or bent tip significantly reduces tactile sensitivity and the ability to detect fine calculus deposits or early carious lesions. Blunted tips should be replaced promptly. For complete care and maintenance protocols tailored to Fortec instruments, refer to the Instruments Care and Maintenance Care guides.

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Dental Mirrors Collection – Clear Reflections, Scratch-Resistant & Built for Every Examination

Why Choose Fortec Dental Mirrors

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