Abstract
Scaling and root planing are considered as amongst the most important and frequently conducted procedures in periodontal therapy. The condition of the cutting edges of the curette affect the efficiency of scaling and root planning. It is important in periodontal treatment to maintain the cutting edges properly Thus, sharpening of curettes is an essential procedure. Therefore, we undertook a preclinical exercise to impart training in sharpening using dull instruments, and then evaluated the shape of the instruments and the effects of the sharpening.
Fourth grade students of Nippon Dental University participated in this study. They practiced methods for sharpening dull instruments in accordance with the scaling and root planing practices with Gracey curettes. The students sharpened the instruments twice in class. The cutting edges were evaluated by the instructors and graded as follows; “excellent”, “fair”, “poor”. In addition,a questionnaire survey was also conducted.
In regard to the evaluation of the cutting edges, the frequency of “excellent” and “fair” was increased, and that of “poor” was decreased at the second evaluation as compared with the corresponding frequencies in the first evaluation. The questionnaire survey showed that most students considered that sharpening of the curettes was a difficult task, that it was important to understand the structure of the curettes, and that they understood how to sharpen curettes.
Use of dull instruments for training in sharpening of instruments made the students understand the structure of curettes, methods of sharpening and the importance of sharpening better. In conclusion, use of dull instruments for training in sharpening methods is very effective.
Nihon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi (J Jpn Periodontol) 49 : 332-339, 2007.
