Advanced Instrument Choices

In most general dental practice offices, the typical set includes explorers and probes plus scalers, universal curettes, and possibly select Gracey-type curettes. Depending on oral health status, these may not meet every need. Modified designs - available from HuFriedyGroup, American Eagle, PD, LM-Dental, and other manufacturers - often improve access and efficiency. This course reviews design categories; product names below are often associated with HuFriedyGroup educational materials and photos, but equivalent designs exist across brands.

Instruments reviewed:

• After Five, Mini Five and Micro Mini Gracey-type curettes

• 15/16 and 17/18 Gracey-type curettes

• Extra Rigid Gracey-type curettes

• Vision Curvettes (and short-blade curved equivalents)

• Langer-type curettes

• Debridement (O'Hehir-type) curettes

• Diamond-coated file scalers

• Periodontal files

• Hoes and chisels

• SN 135 and SN 137 (sickle/curette combination designs)

• Nevi-type thin sickles

• Other options: shank and tip varieties; maintenance-angle curettes