What is ISO 23940 about?
ISO 23940 addresses excavators for dentistry that specifies dimensions and performance requirements for excavators used in dentistry.
Dental excavators are an instrument used by dentists for removing damaged tissue from the wound of pulp chambers (cavities) and channels of the teeth. The instrument schema is depicted as a device like a big, piercing scoop, utilized in excavating out tissues related to pathology.
Who is ISO 23940 for?
ISO 23940 is useful for:
- Manufacturers of Excavators for dental purposes
- Orthodontist
- Developers and engineers working on Excavators for dental purposes
- Manufacturers of medical devices and equipment
Why should you use ISO 23940?
Excavator is a handheld dental instrument for removing damaged tissue from the wound of pulp chambers (cavities) and channels of the teeth.
ISO 23940 will help you meet general requirements that is design, dimensions, material, and measurements. Test methods given in ISO 23940 will help you to assess Excavators properly and will help you achieve the expected quality intended for use.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 23940:2021 supersedes ISO 23940:1997, which has been withdrawn. BS EN ISO 23940:2021 has some technical changes with respect to ISO 23940:1997, these include:
- New shapes have been added
- Test values for connection between the working end and handle have been reduced from 600 N to 450 N (tensile load) and from 400 Ncm to 0,25 Nm (torque)
- A requirement for UDI-code has been added in Clause 8
- A requirement for instructions for use has been added

