Instruments used in the placement of composite filling materials are available in different sizes and shapes at the working end. The most common is the Woodson (3060/3064/3065). One of the ends is paddle-shaped, used to carry and place composite and temporary restorative materials into the prepared cavity. The plugger end, which resembles an inverted cone, is used to condense restorative materials into cavity. Another type of composite instrument is the plastic instrument. This single or double–ended instrument has a flat head. It comes in various sizes that range from small to large and varies in shapes. Some are paddle-shaped (3059/3069/3066/3067/3080). Some are spoon-shaped (3063/3076). Others are like knife like (3070).

Mortonson-Clevedent Plugger (3061/3071) is a condenser and carver in one, used to form occlusal anatomy (e.g. pits, fissures and grooves) in composite restorations. The end is conical and the shank is bi-angled to direct the pressure to the tip of the instrument without exerting too much force and for easy handling.

All these varieties of instruments are available in plastic, stainless steel, metal, or Teflon-coated type. Composite filling materials are easier to pack with the used of plastic and Teflon because these materials do not in part a gray color to the composite as do stainless steels.