Periodontal Instrumentation and Care Flashcards

Which Gracey curette is specifically designed for scaling the distobuccal and distolingual surfaces of posterior teeth?

Answer: Gracey 13/14

The Gracey 13/14 is area-specific for the distal surfaces of posterior teeth.

A dental hygienist notices tissue tags remaining after scaling. The MOST appropriate next step is to:

Answer: Use a curette to remove the detached tissue tags

Residual tissue tags should be removed with a curette as part of thorough debridement.

The correct angulation of a curette blade to the tooth surface during the working stroke for scaling is:

Answer: 45–90 degrees

A 45–90 degree angulation between the blade face and tooth surface is required for effective scaling.

Which of the following best describes the cutting edge of a universal curette compared to a Gracey curette?

Answer: Universal curettes have two cutting edges; Gracey curettes have one functional cutting edge

Universal curettes have two usable cutting edges, while Gracey curettes have one lower, offset cutting edge.

When instrumenting a furcation area with Class II furcation involvement, the BEST instrument choice is a:

Answer: Nabers probe and furcation curette

The Nabers probe identifies furcation depth, and furcation-specific curettes adapt within the concave furcation anatomy.

Ultrasonic scalers primarily disrupt calculus through which mechanism?

Answer: Acoustic turbulence and cavitation

Ultrasonic scalers use acoustic streaming and cavitation from the oscillating tip and water coolant to disrupt deposits.

A patient with a pacemaker is scheduled for periodontal debridement. Which instrument type requires SPECIAL CAUTION?

Answer: Magnetostrictive ultrasonic scalers

Magnetostrictive ultrasonic units generate an electromagnetic field that can potentially interfere with older pacemakers.