Root Planing and Scaling

By Muhammad Rafay Imran

Definition Scaling and Root Planing : It is non-

surgical periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning, is the process of removing or eliminating dental plaque and calculus which cause inflammation.

Instruments for Scaling and Root Planing 1. Sickle Scalers : Used to remove

supra gingival calculus. 2.Currets : Used for sub gingival

scaling and root planning 3.Ultrasonic and sonic instruments :

are used for scaling and cleansing tooth surfaces.

Types of Curettes Universal Curettes : - Have cutting edges

that maybe inserted in most of the areas of the dentition by adapting the finger rest, fulcrum and hand position of the operator.

Examples of Universal curetts. - Barnharts Currets- Columbia Curettes- Younger-Good Curettes

Types of Curettes Area Specific Curettes. Gracey Curettes: are representative of the

area specific curettes. Gracey#1-2 and 3-4 : Anterior Teeth Gracey#5-6 : Anterior Teeth and premolars Gracey#7-8 and 9-10 : Posterior teeth : facial and lingual

surface Gracey#11-12 : Posterior Teeth : Mesial Gracey#13-14: Posterior teeth : Distal

Gracey Curette

Universal Curette

Area of Use Set of many curettes designed for specific areas and surfaces

One Curette designed for all areas and surfaces

Cutting Edge One Cutting edge used

Both cutting are used

Curvature Curved in two planes Curved in one plane

Blade angle Face of blade beveled at 60 degrees to shank.

Face of blade beveled at 90 degrees to shank.

Sonic & Ultrasonic Instruments Sonic Instruments : work at a frequency of 2000 to

6500 CPS and use a high or low speed air source from the dental unit. Water is delivered via the same tubing used to deliver water to a dental handpiece. Sonic scaler tips are larger and universal in design , sonic scaler tip travels in an orbital stroke.

Ultrasonic Instruments : It is divided into Magnetostrictive ultrasonic devices and Piezoelectric ultrasonic devices.

Magnetostrictive Ultrasonic Devices

Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Devices

1. It works at a frequency range of 18,000 to 50,000 CPS.

It works at frequency range of 18,000 to 50,000 CPS.

2. Tip moves in a orbital stroke pattern.

Tip moves in a linear pattern.

3. This allows the tip four active working surfaces.

Giving the tip two active surfaces.

Types of Instrumentation Strokes-Assessment Stroke (Also known as Exploratory stroke)It is used to assess the tooth anatomy , detect plaque , and other plaque retentive factors. Probes and curets are used.

-Calculus removal Stroke (Also known as scaling stroke)It is used to lift calculus deposits off to the tooth surface. Sickle scalers , curets and files are used. Moderate presurre is applied.

-Root Debriment Stroke (Also known as root planing stroke)- It is used to remove residual calculus ; disrupt bacterial plaque from root surfaces within deep periodontal pockets, curets are used and light pressure is applied.

Reference:Chapter # 45 and 46 Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology (11th Edition)Module # 10. Fundamentals of Periodontal instrumentation by Jill S.Nield-Gehrig (6th Edition)

THANKYOU