Hand scaling
Basic
Anterior sickle scaler
Design characteristics:
Triangular cross-section
Pointed tip and back
Two-cutting edges
Face-terminal shank angulation of 90°
Indication for use:
Supragingival debridement of the upper and lower anterior teeth
Right handed
Always start at or close to the mid-line and proceed towards mesial or distal surface of the tooth
Facing surfaces
(right handed operator at 8 o’clock)
Averted surfaces
(right handed operator at 12 o’clock)
Left handed
Always start at or close to the mid-line and proceed towards mesial or distal surface of the tooth
Facing surfaces
(left handed operator at 3 – 4 o’clock)
Averted surfaces
(left handed operator at 12 o’clock)
Angulation
Angulation is achieved by
tilting the lower shank slightly towards the tooth surface.
This creates a face-to-tooth surface angulation of 60 to 80 degrees.
Anterior sickle scaler angulation
Use the terminal shank as a visual clue!!!
Adaptation
Correct working end
Posterior sickle scaler
Angulation
Correct angulation and adaptation of the instrument
(sickle scaler)
Use the terminal shank as a visual clue!!!
Adaptation
Use the tip third of the working end!!!
Correct working end
Correct working end of the instrument
Compare the two working ends
Correct working end
(sickle scaler)
Working end 1
Working end 2
