Instrument Sharpening

Question 1

Advantages of sharp instruments

Answer 1

Easier calculus removal
Improved stroke control
Reduced number of strokes
Increased patient comfort
Reduced clinician fatigue

Question 2

What is the junction of the cutting edge formed by?

Answer 2

The face and lateral surfaces

Question 3

What is the internal angle on a universal curet, area specific curet, or sickle scaler?

Answer 3

Between 70 and 80 degrees

Question 4

What kind of cutting edge will reflect light?

Answer 4

A dull, rounded edge

Question 5

How will a sharp edge affect a sharpening test stick?

Answer 5

It will grab or scratch. Dull will slide

Question 6

Why do we sharpen the cutting edge in sections?

Answer 6

To preserve design characteristics, whether curved or straight

Divided into heel, middle and toe

Question 7

Common sharpening errors

Answer 7

Altering working-end design
Removing unnecessary metal
Only sharpening the tip and middle thirds
Flattening a rounded cutting edge

Question 8

When can instrument tip breakage occur?

Answer 8

Frequent sharpening can make the tip too small and cause it to snap off

Question 9

What to do if an instrument breaks in a patients mouth

Answer 9

Stop instrumentation-mRemain calm
Maintain retraction and patient head position
Examine areas around where the fracture occurred
When located, blot with gauze
If that does not wrk, use curet or college pliers to retrieve fragment
If unable to locate, take radiographs, refer to periodontist, possible chest xray

Question 10

How often should instruments be filed?

Answer 10

After each use or during instrumentation of needed

Question 11

What to do if you need to sharpen during treatment

Answer 11

Use sterile sharpening stone, gloves, good lighting, and a stable work surface
Ceramic is best choice, natural stone needs oil lubrication

Question 12

What is in your sharpening armamentarium?

Answer 12

Sharpening stone
Plastic test stick
Magnifying lens
Gauze, lubricant
Gloves, safety glasses, mask

Question 13

How to care for a sharpening stone

Answer 13

Use appropriate lubricant (water, oil)

Lubricants reduce friction and keep metal fragments from sticking to stone

Ultrasonic to remove particles

Dry and sterilize

Question 14

At what angle should instruments be sharpened?

Answer 14

110 degrees so the 70-80 degrees inside angle is maintained

Greater that 80 degrees will create a bulky edge
Less than 70 degrees will change the type of instrument (ex. curet to sickle), working end is weakened

Question 15

In what order do we sharpen?

Answer 15

Starting heel to toe

Question 16

What is the moving stone technique?

Answer 16

Moving a sharpening stone over a lateral surface of a stabilized instrument

Question 17

How to set up for the moving stone technique?

Answer 17

Use a palm grasp
Stabilize hand on counter
Stabilize instrument with thumb
Position face parallel to countertop
Maintain internal angulation of 70-80 degrees (face to stone angle 110)

Question 18

Implementing the moving stone technique

Answer 18

Lubricate the stone
Grasp instrument, stabilize hand on counter
Position instrument face parallel to the counter/floor
Grasp the stone by the edges
Position stone 100-110 degrees from face
Sharpen heel third, then middle
If sharpening a universal curet or sickle, reposition working end to sharpen second cutting edge

Question 19

Sharpening the curet toe

Answer 19

Face the toe at 3 o’clock, stone at 2 o’clock

Question 20

How to evaluate sharpness using a test stick

Answer 20

Adapt cutting edge at same angle you use against tooth surface

Sharp edge will scratch, dull edge will glide. Test all thirds then check under magnification

Question 21

How do we avoid metal burs collecting on sharpened edges?

Answer 21

Finish with a down stroke