Gracey Flashcards
What makes the gracey suitable for sub gingival scaling
The blade and shank angulations of these curettes
Why is the gracey useful over the columbia
Although universal curettes are useful on all tooth surfaces in all regions of the mouth, better access can be obtained by using a range of curettes more specifically designed for certain surfaces
What are the design features that make the Gracey unique
- Area specific
- Offset blade
- One cutting edge
- Blade curves in two planes
What are graceys 1-2 for
anterior teeth
What are the grey graces for
anterior teeth
What are gracey’s 11-12 for
posterior teeth, mesial surfaces
What are orange grace’s for
posterior teeth, mesial surfaces
What is the offset blade
The blade of the Gracey curette is honed so that the face of the blade is ‘offset’ at an angle to the lower shank rather than perpendicular to it
What makes the offset blade different to that of the columbia
The universal curette have a 90 degree angle between the shank and the face. The Gracey curette has an angle of 110 degrees between the lower shank and the face of the blade. When this instrument is adapted to the tooth with the lower shank parallel with the tooth surface, the angle between the face of the blade and the toot is therefore 70 degrees. This is an effective angle for calculus removal applying pull strokes
What is meant by the cutting edge
When determining which edge should be adapted to the tooth, the blade should be held face up and parallel t the floor
How can the cutting edge be determined
the blade should be held face up and parallel to the floor
Viewed from this angle, the curvature of the blade is obvious.
One edge forms a larger, outer curve and the other forms a short smaller inner curve
The larger outer curve is ALWAYS the CORRECT cutting edge
How does the gracey curve in two planes
The toe of the curette curves upwards and also it curves to the side.
How is the blade curving in two planes beneficial
The blade’s adaptability to convexities and concavities is enhanced as the working end is advanced around the tooth.
Only the lower third of the Gracey blade is in contact with the tooth during instrumentation
Lateral pressure should be concentrated onto this portion of the blade during calculus removal.
what are the principles for use of the gracey curette
What are the principles for use of the Gracey Curette
A. Determine which cutting edge of the Gracey curette you will adapt to the tooth before beginning scaling
B. After visual inspection of the blade, confirm the correct cutting edge by gently adapting it to the tooth with the terminal shank parallel to the surface to be scaled.. With the toe pointing in the direction to be scaled (e.g mesially) only the BACK of the instrument can be seen from above if the correct edge has been selected. If the wrong edge has been selected, the flat shiny face of the curette will be seen instead.
C. Make sure the lower shank of the Gracey curette is parallel with the tooth
D. Use fulcrum and finger rest
Vertical and diagonal cutting strokes may be made
how should the lateral pressure be modulated
depending on the nature of the calculus deposits
