Instrument Sharpening

Goals for sharpening

Analyze, detect dull, create sharp edge, identify when no longer safe or effective

Why sharpen?

-New instruments have precise sharp cutting edges

-hand activated instruments effective only with sharp edges

-sharp edges "bite into calculus, dull instruments are ineffective they slide over and burnishes calculus

Dull edge instrument causes

Dull edge increases the likelihood of losing control more likely to slip

less pressure

More patient comfort and less MSD injury and more vibrations are felt (more scaling accuracy)

Detecting sharp cutting edge

Shine light from above onto the edge - a straight line (no reflection/ twinkle)

Rounded detection

Light reflects back and rounded edge is wider

Tactile evaluation

A sharpening test stick used to evaluate the cutting edge

-dull cutting edge= slides over surface

-a sharp cutting edge = scratches the surface with light pressure

Grasp test stick in

No dominant hand and 70-80 angulation

before sharpening

Check if sharpening is even needed bc do not want to over sharpen causing unnecessary removal of metal

Not recommended sharpening method

Removing metal from the instrument face

Recommended sharpening method

Remove metal from lateral surfaces

White stone

-fine

-synthetic ceramic

-Arkansas natural stone

Used for routine sharpening

Grayish/ brown stone

-medium

-synthetic ceramic

- India natural stone

-used on very dull edges

Sharpening cards

-diamond coated

-stainless steel

- Autoclavable

-130 dollars

Wet

Natural stone

And should be cleaned before

Hu friedy sidekick

400$

LM-RondoPlus

1200$

Periostar 3000

800$

Sharpening services

Send them out for repair or sharpening

when to sharpen

Whenever needed 15-45 stokes

Oversharpend risk for breaking

disposable instruments

American eagle, LM sharp Diamond coated instruments

Holding instrument when sharpening

MOVING STONE TECHNIQUE

Hold stone indominant hand

• Hold the stone at the edges with all fingers and thumb

• Stone moves - the instrument does not

SHARPENING TECHNIQUE: getting started

Need a good light source

• Headlight or overhead light

• Hold instrument in non-dominant hand• Palm grasp with thumb against the instrument•

Elbow against the body or resting on the table/counter

• Stabilize the arm

HE INTERNAL ANGLE IS

70-80

HE STONE IS PLACED AT

110º stone tilted away from the face of the instrument

HIS ANGULATION IS THE SAME FORSICKLES and CURETTES

face of instrument parallel to the floor

SHARPENING TECHNIQUEDivide the cutting edge into three imaginary sections

1. Toe 2. Middle 3. Heel