How the needles are classified by thier point geometry

Needles may also be classified by their point geometry; examples include:

- taper (needle body is round and tapers smoothly to a point)

- cutting (needle body is triangular and has a sharpened cutting edge on the inside)

- reverse cutting (cutting edge on the outside)

- trocar point or tapercut (needle body is round and tapered, but ends in a small triangular cutting point)

- blunt points for sewing friable tissues

- side cutting or spatula points (flat on top and bottom with a cutting edge along the front to one side) for eye surgery

The 3/8 needle allows the clinician to pass from the buccal surface to the lingual surface in one motion.

The 1/2 circle needle is routinely used for periosteal and mucogingival surgery