What is a spatula used for in dentistry?

I. What is a spatula used for in dentistry?
A spatula in dentistry, also called mixing spatula dental, is designed to mix dental materials like dental plaster, alginate, or sealing materials (silicones, cements), or impression materials etc. It typically consists of a sturdy (plastic or stainless steel) handheld instrument with a working distal tip that may be flat or curved. Some may have two working ends.
In terms of shapes, it has two types: straight and curved. The straight ones are commonly used and easy to understand its use. Some people may get confused by the use of curved mixing spatula. Actually, compared with the straight ones, it’s better to press against the walls of the mixing bowls while mixing the dental materials.
The wide, flat, flexible blade is used to mix, spread and lift materials including drugs, plaster or paints.
With its help, the mixing work can be done in an efficient way.
It’s also known as placement instrument, to place and contour soft restorative materials into cavity preparations and other dental procedures.
In medical applications, the dental mixing spatula may be also used synonymously with tongue depressor. 

II. Disposable Plastic Dental Mixing Spatula
Mixing Spatula made of plastic is one kind of dental product in the series of dental mixing accessories to mix composites, cements and other viscous materials. It’s one of the common dental & laboratory supplies.
A flexible yet sturdy plastic spatula used widely by dentists, technicians and in other dental related applications. The Spatula will not stick to mixing bowl and can be a good helper in the lab or dental clinic.
For the ones made of stainless steel, they may react with the material being mixed and cause some potential problems in dental treatment procedures. But dentists won’t worry about it when using the plastic mixing spatula, which provides it an advantage in dental uses.

III. FEATURES
3.1 Strong & Long Straight Handles
The long spatula handle of mixing spatula dental is designed according to finger shapes and provides a comfortable, secure grip. Also it comes with a hole for convenient hanging storage.
3.2 Big Flat Head
The big flat head of mixing spatula dental is good for mixing and usually works with mixing well or bowl.
3.3 Usage
The plastic mixing spatula dental is specially designed for dental lab work and suitable for mixing materials (like dental plaster, alginate), general laboratory use, laboratory waxing, modeling, carving, etc.
3.4 Medical Grade
It’s made of high quality medical grade plastic to ensure a hygiene status. 
3.5 Disposable or Reuse after Sterilization
The plastic mixing spatula dental is disposable if dentists don’t want to reuse after sterilization.
3.6 Smooth surface
The smooth surface provides a comfortable holding.
3.7 Assorted colors
The different colors are good for better identification of different uses.