Sickle Scalers

Question 1

What are anterior sickle scalers used for?

Answer 1

Used in the anterior region to remove supragingival calculus deposits

Question 2

Anterior sickle scalers are used in the anterior region to remove _________________ calculus deposits

Answer 2

supragingival

Question 3

What is the instrument design of an anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 3

◦ Straight, rigid shank
◦ 2 cutting edges on each working-end
◦ Pointed tip (hence “sickle”)

Question 4

When adapting the anterior sickle scaler, the shank and handle should be ________ to the long axis of the tooth

Answer 4

parallel

Question 5

What is wrong with this anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 5

sharp tip not adapted to tooth

Question 6

What is wrong with this anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 6

attempts to adap to root concavity results in gouging

Question 7

What is wrong with this anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 7

tip adapted but rear portion of blade distends tissue

Question 8

What are the correct ways to use an anterior sickle scaler (image)?

Answer 8

Question 9

Proper angulation (cutting edge against the tooth) for anterior sickle scaler =

Answer 9

45-90°

Question 10

What will over angulation (greater than 90°) of an anterior sickle scaler do?

Answer 10

result in burnished calculus and/or tissue laceration

Question 11

What will under angulation (less than 45°) of an anterior sickle scaler do?

Answer 11

result in burnished calculus

Question 12

Proper angulation of the anterior sickle scaler will occur naturally if the shank/handle of the scaler is kept _________ to the long axis of the tooth

Answer 12

parallel

Question 13

What is an exploratory stroke for anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 13

• Light grasp, minimal pressure (think perio explorer)

Question 14

What is a working stroke for anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 14

Tighten grasp, apply lateral pressure to tooth on coronal stroke

Question 15

Where should you sit for surfaces facing toward you?

Answer 15

Right-hand: 8:00
Left-hand: 4:00

Question 16

Where should you sit for surfaces facing away from you?

Answer 16

Right-hand: 11-12:00
Left-hand: 12-1:00

Question 17

What is the posterior sickle scaler used for?

Answer 17

meant to scale interproximal regions of posterior teeth, supra- and subgingival (slightly below the tissue) if spurs of interproximal calculus are present

Question 18

The posterior sickle scaler is used in what area of the posterior teeth?

Answer 18

interproximal regions, supra- and subgingival

Question 19

What are posterior sickle scalers NOT designed for?

Answer 19

scaling deep periodontal pockets

Question 20

What is the difference in shape between a posterior and anterior sickle scaler?

Answer 20

Posterior is same as anterior, but it has a bend in the shank (complex design) for access in the posterior region

Question 21

For a posterior sickle scaler terminal shank is ________ to the long axis of the tooth

Answer 21

parallel

Question 22

Can you scale the buccal and lingual surfaces with a posterior sickle scaler?

Answer 22

NO