Site Specific Curettes

Question 1

Gracey curette used for?

Answer 1

• Removing fine calculus, plaque, endotoxins from the diseased root surface.
• By removing the necrotic cementum.

Question 2

Root surface debridement (RSD) strokes

Answer 2

• Cross-hatching stroke pattern.
• More strokes.
• More lengthy strokes.
• Less lateral pressure.

Question 3

Gracey design

Answer 3

• Face is tilted in relation to terminal shank (working end has rounded back).
• Lower cutting edge.
• Long, curved shank with lots of bends.
• Working end has a rounded back.
• Each gracey is area specific.

Question 4

Face is tilted in relation to terminal shank (working end has rounded back) - Advantages and disadvantages

Answer 4

Advantages
- Allows insertion into pocket without causing trauma.

Disadvantages
- Only one cutting edge per working end can be used for calculus removal.

Question 5

Lower cutting edge - Advantages and disadvantages

Answer 5

Advantages
- Designed to achieve correct cutting edge to tooth surface angulation.

Disadvantages
- The terminal shank must be positioned parallel to the tooth surface.

Question 6

Long curved shanks - Advantages and disadvantages

Answer 6

Advantages
- Reaches around convex tooth crowns to reach root surfaces

Disadvantages
- Long functional shank not necessary within normal sulci.

Question 7

Each gracey is site specific

Answer 7

Advantages
- Allows for easy adaptation in difficult to reach areas.

Disadvantages

• Several instruments are required to treat the entire mouth.
• Working time is lost when swapping instruments.

Question 8

Graceys area of use

Answer 8

• 1/2 - Grey. Anteriors 3-3. All surfaces.
• 7/8 - Green. Posteriors 4-8. Facial and lingual.
• 11/12 - Orange. Posteriors 4-6. Mesial.
• 13/14 - Light blue. Posteriors 4-6. Distal.
• 15/16 - Brown. Posteriors 6-8. Mesial.
• 17/18 - Dark blue - Posteriors 6-8. Distal.

Question 9

Direction of strokes on anterior teeth

Answer 9

• Facial and lingual surfaces - oblique working strokes.

- Interproximal surfaces - vertical working strokes.

Question 10

After five curette

Answer 10

• Designed for RSD in deeper pockets.
• Elongated terminal shank.
• Better access to root contours and pockets.
• Thinned blade for subgingival insertion.

Question 11

Mini five curette

Answer 11

Same as after five curette plus:

• Half the standard size.
• Access to smaller roots, narrow pockets, furcations, developmental grooves.