Curettes and curette sharpening Flashcards
State the distinct design difference between a sickle scaler and a universal curette
• The sickle scalers are used supragingivally ONLY
• Curettes are used SUBGINGIVALLY
• Universal C: pocket depths up to 5mm inclusive
• Gracey C: pocket depths MORE than 5mm
• Moreover, curettes have a rounded toe, where as scalers have a pointed tip
* Curettes have a rounded back, where as scalers have a sharp back
Discuss the design characteristics of Universal Curettes
- Rounded back
- Rounded toe
- Two cutting edges per working end
- Has a semicircular cross section
- Face is at 90D to terminal shank
List and describe the types of strokes involved with using a curette
- Placement Stroke:
• Used to position the working end of an instrument apical to a calculus deposit or at the base of a periodontal pocket
• Used with light contact against the tooth surface while positioning the working end - Assessment stroke:
• Used with a curette to feel for vibrations to locate then remove the subgingival calculus deposits
• Longer, flowing strokes with minimal pressure
• When no deposits are detected with a curette, an explorer is used to thoroughly re-assess the root surface for any remaining calculus deposits or other regularities - Calculus removal stroke:
• Used with sickle scalers and curettes
• This stroke is short in length used with moderate to firm pressure against the tooth to fracture calculus deposits from its surface - Root debridement strokes:
• Smoothing strokes and finishing strokes
• Used to remove calculus and cementum deposits, bacterial plaque, and by products from root surfaces
* Strokes are applied over the entire root surface using light pressure
Discuss the stroke patterns for supra and subgingival scaling
Supragingival
• Remove calculus in sections
• DO NOT remove calculus in layers, or else burnished calculus will be produced
* Depending on the surface you are scaling, you may do vertical or a combination type stroke
Subgingival
• Divide the root surface into zones
• Have overlapping strokes
* Depending on the surface you are scaling, you may do vertical or a combination type stroke
List the Gracey Curette numbers of the curettes contained within your kit and state where they can be specifically used
• 1/2: Anterior teeth
• 7/8: Buccal and lingual/palatal of posterior teeth
• 11/12: Mesial of posterior teeth
* 13/14: Distal of posterior teeth
Describe the uses for a Gracey Curette and know the differences in depth of use between a Universal and Gracey Curette
- UC = 5mm
- GC = 5mm +
• Gracey Curettes remove mild to moderate subgingival calculus
• Both used for Root Debridement
• Individual curettes for specific locations
Describe Gracey After Five and Mini Five curettes and differentiate them
Gracey After Five
• Thinner blades with 3mm extension of shank
• Pocket depths 5mm+ •
G Mini Five
• Smaller/ shorter blade than GAF
* Used for narrow areas with deep pockets
• Our GC 1-2 is a mini 5
Discuss the design characteristics of Gracey Curettes
• Rounded toe
• Semi circular cross section
• Rounded back
• Complex functional shank
• Unlike Universal, Gracey’s face is titled at 70D to the lower shank
* The cutting edge is on the slanted/ lower edge
Describe the stroke sequence and directions for the GC 1/2.
• Facing and averted concept
• Insert instrument in the midline of the tooth
• Ensure terminal shank is parallel to root surface
• Work across tooth surface with VERTICAL strokes
* Use VERTICAL strokes all throughout, then roll the instrument as you reach the contact point, then pull out
Describe the stroke sequence and directions for the GC 11/12.
• Use only on mesial surfaces of per-molars and molars
• Identify correct working end; start at mesial and functional shank should go up and over incisal edge of NEXT tooth
• Insert Curette in mesio-buccal line angle and work at least halfway across the mesial surface using VERTICAL strokes
* Extra-oral rests may be used
How do you determine the correct working edge for the Gracey 11/12?
• Place the instrument against the mesial surface of the tooth/ finishing point
* The functional shank should go up and over the incisal edge of the NEXT tooth
What is correct angulation for:
- Scalers
- Currettes
- 60- 80 degrees
2. 70 degrees
Discuss the angulation required for using a Gracey curette
• The sharp cutting edge of a Curette is already at 70 degrees
• Therefore, the terminal shank shouldn’t by tilted towards the tooth surface
* The terminal shank should be held parallel to the tooth surface
Describe the visual cues required in order to select the correct working end of Gracey curette 11/12 and 13/14 on posterior teeth
- 13/14 functional shank goes up and over the occlusal surface of the tooth being worked on
- 11/12 functional shank goes up and over occlusal surface of tooth IN FRONT of tooth being worked on
Explain the sharpening technique for Gracey Curettes
• Grasp the instrument with non-dominant hand and sharpening stone with dominant
• For the odd number side of the instrument e.g, 7 in 7/8, the instrument needs to be placed so that the terminal shank is at 11 o’clock and the toe is pointed to clinician
The stone is at 12:04 pm
- Begin at the heel of the working end
- Apply sharpening stone in 6-7 long strokes using “up-down vertical” movement with light pressure finishing on a downward stroke
- Follow the curvature of the working end towards the toe of the Gracey
