Advanced Instrumentation for the General Practice Dental Hygienist
Debridement Curettes

Debridement curettes are often used after ultrasonic scaling and definitive hand scaling. These curettes are very small, have a rounded working end (blade) and effectively smooth root surfaces and remove small residual deposits (Figure 34). These small disc, shaped blades allow for adaptation to very deep pockets and can be used in any direction…vertical, horizontal, or oblique in a push pull (almost exploratory-like) stroke. It has a very long terminal shank (about 15mm).

• 1.5mm blade which encircles the entire rim
• push /pull stroke is utilized
• easily adapts to furcations, grooves and line angles

Uses for each of the Debridement Curettes are as follows:

• 1/2 Debridement Curette – for buccal and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth (Figures 35, 38).
• 3/4 Debridement Curette – for the mesial and distal surfaces of posterior teeth (Figures 35, 37).
• 5/6 Anterior Debridement Curette – mostly for anterior teeth but can be utilized in other areas (Figure 36).
• 7/8 Anterior Debridement Curette – mostly for anterior teeth but can be utilized in other areas. Has an extended shank for reach into deeper pockets (Figures 36, 39).