The metal material used by various manufacturers of periodontal instruments determines if and with what frequency those instruments need to be sharpened. If the light can be seen reflecting off of the cutting edge, then the instrument is dull. Hold the instrument under the light and rotate until the edge is facing the light. 7,10 Another method to evaluate sharpness is with visual inspection using a bright light and, if possible, a magnifying glass. If there is no bite, the instrument needs sharpening (Figure 1). Apply the cutting edge to the stick at a 70° to 80° angle and evaluate the “bite” as the edge takes hold. With the instrument in the dominant hand, establish a safe fulcrum on the flat surface of the test stick. This is achieved by holding the plastic test stick in the nondominant hand with a modified pen grasp. 9 How to Determine an Instrument’s SharpnessĪ plastic test stick may be used to test sharpness. This dullness requires clinicians to apply more force and pressure during scaling and root planing. A greater contact area between the lateral surface of the blade and the root will develop due to a dull cutting edge. Only the lower 1 mm to 3 mm of the blade are engaged during calculus removal. The cutting edge of a periodontal instrument is a well-defined, sharp edge with a continuous line formed by two adjacent surfaces. The consistent use of hand instruments results in dulling of the cutting edges. ![]() 8 The efficiency of the scaling instrument to produce a smooth surface is an important parameter. 7Ī sharp instrument will enable better results during scaling, including greater accuracy and efficacy, while significantly reducing burnished calculus and soft tissue trauma. Each of these factors may negatively impact the outcome of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. The use of dull instruments can add to operator fatigue, patient discomfort, tissue trauma, and burnished calculus. Root surface roughness facilitates the adhesion of bacteria and the development of bacterial biofilm. It must be perfectly sharp to leave the surface of the treated root smooth and clean. ![]() 5,6 Effective calculus removal depends largely on the sharpness of the blade or cutting edge of the instrument. ![]() In addition to selecting multiple hand instruments based on the severity of periodontal involvement, type and location of deposits, and specific root anatomy, instruments must be frequently evaluated for sharpness. When used properly, multiple studies have confirmed that hand instrumentation is as effective as power instrumentation. Testing the sharpness of a universal sickle scaler with a test stick.ĭuring the COVID-19 pandemic, dental hygienists have relied on hand instrumentation more than ever in an effort to reduce aerosol production.
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