Instrument Sharpening

Instrument Sharpening

1. Instrument sharpening Spring 2021 Jacey Mitchell, RDH, MS

2. Student learning outcomes Identify the two major reasons for instrument sharpening. Describe various sharpening stones and their preferred lubricants. Describe the clock positions and grasp for the instrument, stone and test stick. Describe the sharpening procedure for sickle scalers, universal curets , and gracey curets . Compare and contrast a variety of sharpening techniques Honing Machine Sidekick

3. Goal of Instrument sharpening Instrument sharpening aims to maintain the original shape of the blade, while restoring a sharp cutting edge. Instruments are designed for a particular purpose need to continue to be used in the manner for which they were designed. Inaccurate sharpening techniques can distort the blade and render the instrument useless for its intended purpose. Sharpening is an essential and integral part of instrumentation. Instrument sharpness must be checked at the beginning and during each appointment.

4. Benefits of instrument sharpening Increased tactile sensitivity during instrumentation Greater control of the instrument because of the lighter grasp needed Less pressure on the tooth being scaled or planed and decreased pressure on the finger rest are required Fewer strokes required Less possibility of burnishing rather than removing the calculus Prevention of unnecessary trauma to the gingiva; therefore less discomfort Less fatigue for the clinician

5. When do I need to sharpen?

6. Dynamics of instrument sharpening Instrument sharpening is accomplished by grinding the surface or surfaces that form the cutting edge. Cutting Edge The cutting edge is a very fine line formed where the face and lateral surface meet at an angle The edge becomes dull when pressed against a hard surface (the tooth), or it may be nicked when drawn over a rough surface. A dull edge is rounded and therefore has thickness Approximately 45 strokes creates a very rounded cutting edge, even 15 strokes results in a slightly rounded cutting edge.

7. Cross Section of a Dull Curet

8. Dynamics of instrument sharpening Sharpening Stone Surface A sharpening stone acts as an abrasive to reshape a dulled blade by grinding the surface until the cutting edge is restored. The surface of the stone is made up of masses of minute crystals, which are the abrasive particles that accomplish the grinding of the instrument. A smaller particle size or a finer grit abrades or reduces more slowly and produces a finer cutting edge.

9. Types of Sharpening stones

10. Two manual Sharpening Techniques Moving instrument w/ stationary stone Moving stone w/ stationary instrument

11. Technique

12. View of a Scaler and a Curet Looking Into the Face

13. Angulation for Sharpening

14. Questions?