Sickle Scalers

Question 1

sickle scaler

Answer 1

periodontal instrument used to remove calculus deposits from the crowns of teeth
not to be used on root surfaces
removes medium to large sized supragingival calculus deposits

Question 2

unique design characteristics of sickle scalers

Answer 2

pointed tip
triangular in cross section
two cutting edges per working end
the face is perpendicular to the lower shank
the face of the working end is at a 90 degree angle to the lower shank

Question 3

angulation of sickle scalers

Answer 3

achieved by slightly tilting the lower shank toward the tooth surface
creates a face to tooth surface angulation of 70-80 degrees

Question 4

anterior teeth scaling

Answer 4

divide teeth in half
position near the midline
be sure to tilt lower shank toward tooth surface
make strokes across at least halfway across mesial or distal surfaces

Question 5

posterior teeth selecting correct working end

Answer 5

lower shank is parallel to the distal surface and functional shank goes up and over the tooth
posterior=parallel

Question 6

how many cutting edges does a posterior sickle scaler have

Answer 6

4

Question 7

posterior teeth sickle scaling sequence

Answer 7

area 1: distal surface, insert at distofacial line angle
area 2: distofacial line angle forward for facial and mesial surfaces