What are Gracey curettes and what models are there?

Gracey curettes are area-specific curettes for subgingival scaling and root planing in periodontology. Each Gracey number is designed for specific teeth and tooth surfaces. Here you will learn how Gracey curettes are constructed, which curette is intended for which tooth and which variants are available. We also present Lucas curettes for surgery and chisels for preparation.

What are Gracey curettes?

Gracey curettes were developed by Dr Clayton Gracey as finishing curettes for fine scaling and root planing. The blade of every Gracey curette is angled at 70° to the shank and has only one cutting edge, the lower edge. Together with differently shaped shanks, each curette adapts to a specific tooth surface. The blade angle makes it easier to insert the instrument into the gingival pocket and protects the tissue.

Gracey curettes overview: which curette for which tooth?

Gracey	Area of use	In our shop
1/2 and 3/4	Anterior teeth	1/2, 3/4 · Gold: 1/2, 3/4
5/6	Anterior teeth and premolars	5/6 · Gold: 5/6
7/8 and 9/10	Posterior teeth, buccal and lingual surfaces	7/8, 9/10 · Gold: 7/8, 9/10
11/12	Posterior teeth, mesial surfaces	11/12 · Gold: 11/12
13/14	Posterior teeth, distal surfaces	13/14 · Gold: 13/14
15/16	Modification of the 11/12 for mesial surfaces of hard-to-reach posterior teeth	15/16
17/18	Modification of the 13/14 for distal surfaces of the rear molars	17/18

Rule of thumb: the higher the number, the further back in the jaw the curette is used. For a complete periodontal treatment, a basic set of 5/6, 7/8, 11/12 and 13/14 is often sufficient.

Mini Gracey and After Five

Mini Gracey curettes have a working end that is half as long. They are suitable for narrow, deep pockets, furcations and slim roots, for example the Mini Gracey 5/6, Mini Gracey 11/12 and Mini Gracey 13/14.

After Five Gracey curettes have a terminal shank that is 3 mm longer. This allows them to reach pockets of 5 mm depth and more, such as the After Five 5/6, After Five 11/12 and After Five 13/14.

Gracey sets

If you need several numbers, a set is usually the cheaper option: the Gracey curette set of 9, the 6-piece Gracey set, the gold-coated Gracey set of 7 or the Mini Five set of 6. More sets can be found under Instrument sets. To keep the fine cutting edges protected, we recommend storing them in a cassette; see the guide Instrument cassettes and trays.

Lucas curettes

Lucas curettes are surgical spoons used after an extraction. They are used to curette the socket in order to remove bone fragments, cystic tissue or granulation tissue. The models Fig. 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 differ in the size of the spoon and therefore suit sockets of different sizes.

The serrated version has a jagged spoon edge. This makes it easier to remove firm tissue, for example with the Lucas curette Fig. 86, serrated.

Chisels

Chisels are cutting instruments used to remove or split undermined enamel. A triple-angled chisel smooths the cavity floor. Chisels are therefore used to prepare hard tooth tissue, whereas curettes remove calculus and clean gingival pockets. All models can be found in the category Chisels and curettes.

When to use a curette and when a scaler is explained in the guide Scaler or curette?. The right probe for pocket measurement can be found in the guide Periodontal probes compared, and the full range under Dental instruments.

Frequently asked questions

Which Gracey curette for which tooth?

1/2 and 3/4 for anterior teeth, 5/6 for anterior teeth and premolars, 7/8 and 9/10 for the buccal and lingual surfaces of the posterior teeth, 11/12 for mesial and 13/14 for distal surfaces of the posterior teeth.

Which Gracey curettes do you need as basic equipment?

A basic set of 5/6, 7/8, 11/12 and 13/14 covers most situations. After Five curettes are added for deep pockets, Mini Gracey curettes for narrow pockets and furcations.

What is the difference between Gracey and universal curettes?

Gracey curettes have only one cutting edge and are shaped for specific tooth surfaces. Universal curettes have two cutting edges and can be used on all tooth surfaces.