What is the dental attachment called that is used to cut and polish?

The dental attachment used to cut and polish is the "contra angle." This instrument is a type of dental handpiece that comes with various attachments, allowing for greater maneuverability and access to different areas in the mouth. The contra angle's design facilitates the use of various rotary instruments, including polishing cups and burs, for procedures such as cavity preparation, cutting enamel, and polishing surfaces of teeth. Its angled design also helps the dentist work more efficiently in tight spaces, enhancing precision and control during dental procedures.

In contrast, the high-speed handpiece is primarily designed for cutting and shaping tooth structure quickly, rather than specifically for polishing. The hand scaler is used for removing plaque and tartar from teeth rather than cutting or polishing. The dental bur is a type of rotary cutting instrument that can be used with various handpieces but is not itself a handpiece designed for the acts of cutting and polishing in the same functional manner as a contra angle. Each of these other tools has specific roles in dentistry, but the contra angle is uniquely suited for the tasks of both cutting and polishing effectively.