A dental curette is a specialized hand instrument used by dental professionals to maintain the health of the tissues surrounding the teeth. This tool is designed with a rounded tip and a semi-circular cross-section, allowing it to be safely inserted beneath the gum line. Its primary function is removing harmful deposits that cannot be reached by regular brushing and flossing. The curette is fundamental in preventing and managing periodontal (gum) disease.
The Main Purpose: Scaling and Root Planing
The application of the curette is in non-surgical periodontal therapy, commonly known as a deep cleaning, which involves scaling and root planing. Scaling is the process of removing calculus, also known as tartar, from the surfaces of the teeth both above and below the gum line. The curette’s rounded toe and back minimize trauma to the delicate gingival tissues while accessing the subgingival area where disease-causing bacteria accumulate.
Root planing is the second step, where the instrument is used to smooth the root surfaces. When periodontal disease is present, the root’s outer layer, the cementum, becomes rough and contaminated with bacterial toxins. By gently shaving away this altered cementum, the curette creates a surface to which bacteria are less likely to adhere, which is essential for healing. This procedure reduces inflammation and aims to halt the progression of gum disease, facilitating the reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth surface.
Types of Curettes and Their Specialized Roles
Dental curettes are categorized into two main types. Universal curettes are engineered to be versatile, featuring a blade with two cutting edges and a face that is perpendicular to the lower shank. This design allows a single universal curette to be adapted to all tooth surfaces across the entire mouth. Examples include the Columbia and Barnhart models.
Area-specific curettes, such as the Gracey curettes, offer a specialized approach. These instruments are designed with a blade offset at an angle, typically 70 degrees, to the lower shank, meaning only one edge is sharp and used for scaling. A full set of Gracey curettes includes instruments designated for specific areas, allowing the professional to achieve optimal cutting action on complex root anatomies. Curettes also have specialized uses, including surgical curettage, where they remove soft or diseased tissue after a tooth extraction or during minor surgical procedures.
How the Instrument Works and Patient Expectations
The dental curette removes deposits through a scraping motion against the tooth or root surface. The professional inserts the working end of the instrument into the periodontal pocket and uses overlapping strokes, applying precise lateral pressure to dislodge the calculus. Achieving effective cleaning relies on the dental professional’s tactile sensitivity, which is the ability to feel the texture of the root surface and the presence of calculus through the instrument’s handle.
Patients undergoing a deep cleaning should expect a sensation of scraping or mild pressure, particularly as the instrument navigates beneath the gum line. Procedures involving deep periodontal pockets often require local anesthesia to ensure comfort during instrumentation. The noise associated with the procedure is minimal, as the curette is a quiet, hand-activated tool, unlike ultrasonic scalers. The smoothness of the root surface following root planing is a direct indicator of treatment success, which the professional confirms by gently probing the treated area.