What are the Functions Usage of Dental Curettes in Dentistry

February 17, 2022, Ger Dent USA

In dental procedures, the scraping of tissues or teeth is done by an instrument known as dental curettes. It is handheld equipment used by dentists or by healthcare professionals in hygiene procedures for instance implanting, root-planing, and teeth scaling. It helps in the root planting process and also helps to remove the tartar, supra, and subgingival calculus from the mouth.

Difference between Dental Scalers and Curettes
The only difference between this equipment is that they have different blade shapes. Dental Scalar has a triangular blade while the dental curette has a semicircular blade. Different sizes of curettes are available like rounded and convex shapes are widely used because these decrease the comfort of patients when the dentist is doing surgical processes.

Why are dental curettes essential in surgical procedures?
When dentists examine or diagnose gingivitis or other mouth or tooth disease then they will remove or scrape it with a procedure known as curettage in which the use of curette is essential.

Gingivitis is gum disease and if it is left untreated then it can cause swelling or bleeding of gums. It is commonly caused by poor hygiene or by the buildup of tartar.
Uses and functions

The notable functions and benefits of curettes in dentistry are:
It helps in root planning processes and in the removal of tartar, plaque or calculus.
It thoroughly cleans the infected teeth or gums. Dentists can remove altered cementum with the help of curettes. It causes only the tiniest tissue trauma and allows access to the depth of teeth or cavities and mandibular teeth where dentists can’t access easily.
Dentists can have access to tooth roots with the help of curettes.

Types of curettes in dentistry
There are two basic types of dental curettes; Universal curette design and Gracey Curette design. Both of these are commonly used during surgical or non-surgical periodontal procedures such as hygiene care.

Universal curettes design
It is designed in a way that the working ends are adapted to the surface of the teeth in a dental procedure with the help of only 1 double-ended dental instrument. It is also used in non-surgical operations such as to remove inflammations. There are further some types of universal curette depending on the design.

The blade of the curette has an angle of 90 degrees from the side of the lower shank. The angle helps in the examination when the handle is parallel to the surface of teeth. The universal curette will automatically tilt towards the teeth on which the dentists are working or examining.

Universal curette has cutting edges on both sides so dentists can use both by titling it from any side. There is no curve in the blade except for the curve from the teeth to the shank.

Gracey curette design
It is an area-specific dental instrument. The blade of the Gracey curette is not perpendicular to the lower shank but is designed to offset at an angle. In most of the Gracey curettes, the angle is set about at 70 degrees as it allows perfection in work and at this angle, dentists can get clear visibility of the working area. There are further some types of Gracey curettes depending upon the size and design. These can have extended shanks or miniature working ends which are manufactured according to the requirement of dental procedures or dentists.

In examinations, only the cutting edge is used. It is essential to sharpen the ends of dental instruments otherwise it will be difficult to determine which side of Gracey curette should be used. The dentist can determine the sharpness, by holding the curette in a way that the face of the blade is parallel to the floor.
Gracey curette is curved from the side and from toe to shank as well. During the sharpening and cleaning of the instrument, it is essential to retain this curvature.

Cautions:
During dental procedures, practitioners should not wipe the blade in order to clean the debris and blood from the curette. It is too risky as the blade can make a hole in the gloves and the blood can penetrate into the skin of the assistant and there is a higher risk of getting an infection. It is recommended to use running water or suction for the removal of debris and particles while implanting or root planning.

Final verdict
Dental Curettes are available in different sizes as per the needs of the examinations. These are available in both disposable and reusable forms. If you are looking for Columbia Curette, Debridement Curettes, Furcation Curettes, or Miller Surgical Curettes then you don't have to look anywhere else because, at GerDentUSA Inc., you can get curettes of your choice. In case, if the instrument of your choice is not available on the website then you can request the customized product as well. Contact us and place your order.

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