This type of needle penetrates and passes through tissues by stretching without cutting. A sharp tip at the point flattens to an oval/rectangular shape. The sharpness is determined by taper ratio (8-10:1) and tip angle (20-35•a). The needle is sharper if it has a higher taper ratio and lower tip angle. The taper-point needle is used for easily penetrated tissues (eg, subcutaneous layers, dura, peritoneum, abdominal viscera)

In this type of needle the third cutting edges is on the inner, concave curvature (surface-seeking). This type of point is normally less preferred than the reverse cutting.

The point of this needle is triangular in cross-section with the apex cutting edge on the inside of the needle curvature. it is used for keratinized mucosa, skin or subcuticular layers where the tissue is difficult to penetrate.cuts more tissue than necessary.Risk of accidental cutting from a depth upwards is maximum

The third cutting edge is on the outer convex curvature of the needle (depth-seeking). These needles are stronger than conventional cutting needles and have a reduced risk of cutting out tissue. The needles are designed for tissue that is tough to penetrate (eg, skin, tendon sheaths, oral mucosa). Reverse-cutting needles are also beneficial in cosmetic and ophthalmic surgery, causing minimal trauma.

This needle is similar to the taper point but with a small reverse cutting edge at the tip. This is usually used in areas where the penetration required needs to be slightly better than the taper point.

Needles without cutting tips completely lost their importance in our fields of surgery some years ago. The capability to penetrate tissue is very low but the appearance of high-risk patients ( HIV,HCV,etc.) has caused their use in oral surgery to be revaluated.