Curettes and scalers remove calculus and deposits from tooth and root surfaces. Here you will find Gracey curettes in all patterns from 1/2 to 17/18, in Mini and After Five versions and in gold, as well as Lucas curettes and spoon curettes for the socket and scalers for supragingival cleaning. All instruments are made of stainless steel, CE marked and autoclavable up to 134 °C.
Scaler or curette? The difference
| Scaler | Curette | |
|---|---|---|
| Tip | pointed | rounded |
| Cross-section | triangular | semicircular |
| Cutting edges | two | one (Gracey) or two (universal) |
| Use | supragingival, heavy deposits | subgingival, root planing in the periodontal pocket |
Because of its pointed shape, a scaler is not suitable for the pocket as it can injure the soft tissue. The rounded curette, by contrast, slides gently into the pocket down to its base.
Universal curette or Gracey curette?
A universal curette has two cutting edges and a blade at a right angle to the shank. It can be used on all teeth. A Gracey curette has only one cutting edge and the blade is offset by about 70 degrees. In return, each pattern is designed for one area of the mouth and adapts ideally to the root there.
Gracey curettes: which one for which tooth?
| Gracey | Area of use |
|---|---|
| 1/2 and 3/4 | Anterior teeth |
| 5/6 | Anterior teeth and premolars |
| 7/8 and 9/10 | Posterior teeth, buccal and lingual surfaces |
| 11/12 and 15/16 | Posterior teeth, mesial surfaces |
| 13/14 and 17/18 | Posterior teeth, distal surfaces |
Mini Gracey: working end half as long for narrow, deep pockets and furcations. After Five: shank 3 mm longer for pockets of 5 mm and deeper. A basic set of 5/6, 7/8, 11/12 and 13/14 is enough to get started.
Lucas curettes and spoon curettes
Lucas curettes (pattern 84 to 88, smooth or serrated) and spoon curettes are used after extraction to curette the socket and remove granulation tissue. They differ in spoon size.
Sharpening and caring for curettes
Blunt curettes glide over calculus instead of removing it and strain the hand. Check the cutting edge regularly and sharpen it with a sharpening stone before it becomes rounded. After treatment, clean, reprocess and sterilise in the autoclave at up to 134 °C. Read more in our guide: Gracey curettes chart.
See also: periodontal chisels and periodontal files.
Frequently asked questions about curettes
Which Gracey curette for which tooth?
1/2 to 5/6 for anterior teeth and canines, 7/8 and 9/10 for buccal and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth, 11/12 and 15/16 for mesial and 13/14 and 17/18 for distal surfaces of posterior teeth.
What is the difference between a scaler and a curette?
The scaler is pointed and triangular and is used supragingivally. The curette is rounded and is used in the periodontal pocket.
What is a Mini Gracey curette for?
The shorter working end fits into narrow, deep pockets, furcations and narrow roots where a standard Gracey does not adapt.
How often do curettes need sharpening?
It depends on use. As a rule of thumb: as soon as the cutting edge slides over a plastic test stick instead of biting into it, it is time to sharpen.
Are the curettes autoclavable?
Yes, all curettes and scalers at MedToolPro are made of stainless steel and autoclavable up to 134 °C.
