instrument sharpening

Question 1

why should Instruments be kept sharp

Answer 1

to be as true to their original design as
possible

Question 2

what technique is the most effective when using sharp instruments? why?

Answer 2

scaling because it…

 reduces fatigue - less lateral pressure!
 improves deposit removal
 saves time
 improves tactile sensitivity
 minimizes patient discomfort

Question 3

does a dull cutting edge reflect light? what about sharp cutting edge?

Answer 3

dull = reflect light
sharp = does not reflect light

Question 4

when the blade is dull…

Answer 4

one loses the ability to “feel” the sharp
edge “grabbing” onto a surface

Question 5

burnishing occurs when

Answer 5

blade slides over the deposit rather than removing it

Question 6

(burnishing) Deposit that has had the outermost layer removed…

Answer 6

surface is smooth

Question 7

why is burnished calculus is difficult to remove/detect

Answer 7

the blade can slip over the smoothed surface

Question 8

types of sharpening

Answer 8

• stones
• diamond cards
• disc
• saddle
• automated: sidekick

Question 9

types of stones

Answer 9

• arkansas stone
• ceramic stone
• india stone

Question 10

arkansas stone

Answer 10

• Natural stone
  with a fine grit
• Light
  recontouring and
  maintenance
• Oil lubrication

Question 11

ceramic stone

Answer 11

• Hard synthetic stone
• Fine, medium or course
  grit
• Routine sharpening of
  dental instruments
• Water lubrication or dry

Question 12

india stone

Answer 12

• Synthetic stone
  composed of
  aluminum oxide
  crystals
• Fine, medium or
  course grit
• Reconditioning/
  recontouring,
  maintenance
• Oil or water
  lubrication
• Widest variety

Question 13

sidekick angulation

Answer 13

channels:
1. gracey
2. sickles and universals

 Position the instrument in
the specific channel
 the terminal shank
resting on the incline of
the channel

 Position the back of the
instrument along the
backstop of the guide
plate

Question 14

for best results, how should instruments be sharpened?

Answer 14

with FINE stone after each use

Question 15

for best results, new instruments should be sharpened with?

Answer 15

fine side of the stone

Question 16

when sharpening, how should the face of the instrument always be positioned?

Answer 16

always parallel to the floor

Question 17

what materials are needed for sharpening?

Answer 17

• full PPE
• sharpening stone
• test stick
• light
• gauze
• rubric

Question 18

what is not enough angulation when sharpening?

Answer 18

when the internal angle is greater than 80 degrees, the blade becomes bulky and is difficult to adapt to the tooth

Question 19

what is too much angulation?

Answer 19

when the internal angle is less than 70 degrees, the blade becomes weak and also dulls quickly

Question 20

what is correct angulation

Answer 20

when the stone is correctly placed against the blade, the internal angle of approx. 70 degrees is maintained

Question 21

sharpening sickle scalers instrument position

Answer 21

 Hold the instrument vertically in your non-dominant hand with a secure
palm grasp
 Face of blade parallel to floor with the tip pointed toward you
 Elbow on the table or tucked in at waist

Question 22

sharpening sickle scalers stone position

Answer 22

 Hold stone with dominant hand, thumb on top, middle and fulcrum finger
on bottom.
 Place the FINE (WHITE) side of the stone against the right lateral surface
of the blade
 First place the stone at twelve o’clock (90 degrees) and then tilt the top of
the stone to slightly less than one o’clock (110 degrees)

Question 23

sharpening Sickle scalers stone movement

Answer 23

 Fluid up-and-down motion
 Apply more pressure on the DOWN motion
 Start at the heel third of the blade
 Continue to the middle third
 Finish at the the tip third
 Always finish with a down stroke!

Question 24

sharpening Sickle scalers opposite cutting edge

Answer 24

 Tip pointed towards you
 Keep a secure palm grasp
 Place the stone toward eleven o’clock
 Repeat the grinding process, maintaining the clock position.
 Always finish with a down stroke!

Question 25

sharpening Gracey curettes

Answer 25

 ONE cutting edge, be sure to sharpen the correct side!
 Face is offset at 70°
 Hold the terminal shank at 110° so that the face is parallel to the
floor
 Rounded Toe
 As you move the stone, follow the rounded toe of the cutting edge

Question 26

testing edge sharpness

Answer 26

 Slide the cutting edge against the
test stick and release.
 Test the entire length of the
blade.
 A sharp edge will bite into or
grab the test stick, don’t push
hard!
 When the edge is removed, it
produces a metal sound