Wk 4 Sickle Scaler and Universal Curette

What is a sickle scaler?

A periodontal instrument used to remove calculus deposits from the crowns of the teeth.

What size calculus deposits are sickle scalers used to remove?

Medium- to large-sized deposits.

Are sickle scalers used for supragingival calculus removal?

Yes.

Can sickle scalers remove some subgingival calculus?

Yes.

Where should sickle scalers NOT be used?

On deep root surfaces.

What are curets and scalers frequently designed as?

Double-ended instruments.

What are unpaired working-ends on a double-ended instrument?

Dissimilar working-ends.

What are paired working-ends on a double-ended instrument?

Mirror-image working-ends.

What is the shape of the tip of a sickle scaler?

Pointed.

What is the shape of the back of a sickle scaler?

Pointed.

What is the cross-sectional shape of a sickle scaler?

Triangular.

How many cutting edges are present on each sickle scaler working-end?

Two.

How is the face of a sickle scaler positioned relative to the lower shank?

Perpendicular to the lower shank.

What angle does the face of a sickle scaler form with the lower shank?

90 degrees.

Can anterior sickle scalers be single-ended or double-ended?

Yes.

What may a double-ended anterior sickle scaler contain?

Two different sickles.

Which instrument is given as an example of an anterior sickle scaler in the course material?

H533.

How are posterior sickle scalers usually designed?

As two paired sickles on a double-ended instrument.

How are the working-ends of a posterior sickle scaler related to each other?

They are mirror images.

Which instruments are given as examples of posterior sickle scalers?

Nevi and 204S.

What type of stabilization should be used during a calculus-removal stroke with a sickle scaler?

Apply inward pressure with the index finger and thumb against the instrument handle and press the tip of the fulcrum finger against the tooth surface.

What portion of a sickle scaler cutting edge should be adapted to the tooth?

The tip-third.

What is the recommended face-to-tooth angulation for sickle scaling in the calculus-removal stroke guidelines?

70 to 80 degrees.

How should the lower shank be positioned to achieve correct sickle scaler angulation?

Tilted slightly toward the tooth surface.

What lateral pressure should be used for calculus removal with a sickle scaler?

Moderate-firm pressure against the tooth.

How long should a calculus-removal stroke with a sickle scaler be?

Short.

In what direction should a sickle scaler calculus-removal stroke move relative to the soft tissue?

Away from the soft tissue.

What are the characteristics of a sickle scaler calculus-removal stroke?

Controlled and short.

What stroke direction is used on anterior teeth with a sickle scaler?

Vertical.

What stroke direction is used on the mesial and distal surfaces of posterior teeth with a sickle scaler?

Vertical.

What stroke direction is used on the facial and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth with a sickle scaler?

Oblique.

What stroke direction is used at posterior line angles with a sickle scaler?

Horizontal.

What stroke direction is used at the midline of anterior teeth with a sickle scaler?

Horizontal.

How many calculus-removal strokes should be used with a sickle scaler?

The minimum number needed to remove the calculus.

Why does positioning the lower shank parallel to the tooth create incorrect angulation with a sickle scaler?

Because the face is perpendicular to the lower shank, making the face-to-tooth surface angulation 90 degrees.

What happens when the lower shank is positioned parallel to the tooth surface?

The face-to-tooth surface angulation becomes an incorrect 90 degrees.

How is correct face-to-tooth angulation achieved with a sickle scaler?

Tilt the lower shank toward the tooth surface.

What face-to-tooth angulation results when the lower shank is correctly tilted toward the tooth surface?

70 to 80 degrees.

Why should the lower shank of a sickle scaler be tilted slightly toward the tooth surface?

To obtain the correct face-to-tooth surface angulation.

What sequence reminder is used before beginning sickle scaling?

“Me, My patient, My light, My mirror, My grasp, My finger rest, My adaptation.”

Where does instrumentation begin when using an anterior sickle scaler?

At the midline of the tooth.

In what direction do you work from the midline with an anterior sickle scaler?

Toward the proximal surface.

Where should the tip-third of the anterior sickle scaler be positioned before making strokes?

Near the midline of the tooth.

What should be done with the lower shank after positioning the tip-third near the midline?

Tilt it toward the tooth surface to establish correct angulation.

In what direction are strokes made across the facial surface with an anterior sickle scaler?

Toward the mesial surface.

What should be done with the instrument handle at the line angle during anterior scaling?

Roll it to maintain adaptation of the tip-third of the working-end.

What should be done after moving around the line angle onto the mesial surface?

Continue making calculus-removal strokes along the mesial surface.

What angulation should be maintained while scaling the mesial surface with an anterior sickle scaler?

70 to 80 degrees.

How far across the mesial surface should anterior sickle scaler strokes extend?

At least halfway across the mesial surface.

Why can adaptation to interproximal surfaces be challenging?

The proximal surfaces are adjacent to papillary gingiva.

What is a common sickle scaler technique error on proximal surfaces?

Failure to adapt the tip-third of the cutting edge to the proximal surface.

How is correct proximal adaptation maintained when moving around a line angle?

Roll the instrument handle in a series of tiny movements.

Where should the cutting edge be positioned on a proximal surface?

Against the proximal tooth surface slightly under the gingival margin.

What is insertion?

The act of gently sliding the working-end of an explorer or curet beneath the gingival margin into the sulcus or pocket.

What face-to-tooth surface angulation is used during insertion?

0 to 40 degrees.

What is a 0- to 40-degree insertion angulation called?

A closed angle.

Why is a 0- to 40-degree insertion angulation called a closed angle?

The face is closed against the tooth.

How is correct angulation established after insertion?

Tilt the lower shank toward the tooth surface.

What happens if the lower shank is kept parallel to the tooth surface after insertion?

The face-to-tooth surface angulation becomes an incorrect 90 degrees.

What face-to-tooth surface angulation range is acceptable for calculus removal according to the angulation slide?

45 to 90 degrees.

What face-to-tooth surface angulation is described as ideal for calculus removal?

60 to 80 degrees.

Why is correct angulation important during calculus removal?

It allows the cutting edge to bite into the calculus and fracture the deposit.

How many methods are taught for selecting the correct working-end of a posterior sickle scaler?

Two.

Does it matter which working-end selection method is used for a posterior sickle scaler?

No; use the method that is easiest and works best for you.

What is the first step in Method 1 for selecting the correct posterior sickle scaler working-end?

Establish a finger rest.

Where is the working-end placed in Method 1?

In the Get Ready Zone of the distal surface.

What visual clue is used in Method 1 to select the correct working-end?

The lower shank.

How should the lower shank appear when the correct posterior working-end is selected?

Parallel to the distal surface.

How should the functional shank appear when the correct posterior working-end is selected?

It goes up and over the tooth.

What phrase helps remember the correct posterior sickle scaler working-end?

“Bend to the Back, V to the D.”

What indicates an incorrect posterior sickle scaler working-end when using the lower shank as a visual clue?

The lower shank is not parallel to the distal surface.

How does the functional shank appear with an incorrect posterior sickle scaler working-end?

It goes down and around the tooth.

What is the first step in Method 2 for selecting the correct posterior sickle scaler working-end?

Hold the instrument so you are looking down at the face.

What should be determined after looking down at the face of a posterior sickle scaler?

Which cutting edge is closer to the handle.

Which cutting edge of a posterior sickle scaler is closer to the handle?

The inner cutting edge.

Which cutting edge of a posterior sickle scaler is farther from the handle?

The outer cutting edge.

Which cutting edge is used on distal surfaces of posterior teeth?

The inner cutting edge.

Which cutting edge is used on facial surfaces of posterior teeth?

The outer cutting edge.

Which cutting edge is used on lingual surfaces of posterior teeth?

The outer cutting edge.

Which cutting edge is used on mesial surfaces of posterior teeth?

The outer cutting edge.

What is Area 1 in the posterior sickle scaler sequence?

The distal surface.

Where should the tip-third of the working-end be positioned to begin Area 1?

At the distofacial line angle.

In what direction do you work from the distofacial line angle in Area 1?

Back toward the distal surface.

What should be checked after positioning the posterior sickle scaler on the distal surface?

Angulation.

How should the lower shank be positioned while working on the distal surface?

Tilted toward the tooth surface.

What face-to-tooth angulation should be present on the distal surface?

70 to 80 degrees.

What is Area 2 in the posterior sickle scaler sequence?

From the distofacial line angle forward across the facial and mesial surfaces.

How is the instrument repositioned for Area 2?

At the distofacial line angle with the tip facing forward.

How should the shank be positioned when beginning Area 2?

Tilted toward the tooth surface.

What type of strokes are made across the facial surface in Area 2?

Calculus-removal strokes.

What should be done with the instrument handle when approaching the line angle in Area 2?

Roll it to maintain adaptation.

How should the lower shank be positioned when moving onto the mesial surface?

Tilted toward the mesial surface.

How far across the mesial surface should posterior sickle scaler strokes continue?

At least halfway across the mesial surface.

What two major visual clues can be used to select the correct working-end of a posterior sickle scaler?

The relationship of the lower shank to the distal surface and the location of the inner versus outer cutting edge.

What is the relationship of the lower shank to the distal surface with the correct posterior working-end?

Parallel.

What is the relationship of the lower shank to the distal surface with an incorrect posterior working-end?

Not parallel.

What are the two cutting blades of the Nevi described as?

Tapered dual cutting blades.

What is an advantage of the Nevi's tapered dual cutting blades?

Precise access for effective deposit removal.

What type of scaling tasks are the Nevi's tapered dual cutting blades designed to make quicker?

The toughest scaling tasks.

What is an advantage of the Nevi's increased shank rigidity?

It provides powerfully effective strokes with less effort and fatigue for the clinician.