Dentaltown January 2017 - 97

Instrumental overview
The FDA considers a hand scaler or
curette a Class I medical device. A Class I
medical device as defined by the FDA:
"An instrument ... which is: intended for
use in the diagnosis of disease or other
conditions, or in the cure, mitigation,
treatment, or prevention of disease, in man
or other animals, or intended to affect the
structure or any function of the body of
man or other animals, and which does
not achieve its primary intended purposes
through chemical action within or on the
body of man or other animals and which
is not dependent upon being metabolized
for the achievement of any of its primary
intended purposes." 1
Hand scaling instruments enter the

body's tissues, altering them for better
(with calculus removal) or worse (with
tissue trauma). If an incorrect edge or an
incorrectly sharpened blade is activated, it's
likely that burnished calculus will remain
embedded in the root surface.
Recent observations during dental
perioscopy detected ulcerated tissue and
calculus deposits adjacent to one another.
The inflammation was more severe when
both calculus and biofilm were present than
areas of biofilm alone.2 This reinforces the
value of hand scaling with a quality working
edge as an essential component of root
debridement.
In addition to the clinical benefits of a
precise edge during calculus removal, there
are ergonomic benefits for the practitioner.

A lighter grasp and less pressure are needed
when there is a sharp "bite" from the instrument. Lighter scaling strokes enable the
practitioner to maintain proper positioning
during treatment which help lessen fatigue
in the hand, shoulder and neck.
Treatment is more efficient when it
requires fewer strokes for complete calculus
removal. Patient comfort also increases
when there is lighter pressure and decreased
working time.

Fine points and
sharpening stones
The purpose of sharpening an instrument
is to restore its sharpness while preserving
the original integrity, contour and angle
of the instrument. There are a number of

Disclosure:
The author declares that neither she nor any member of her family have a financial arrangement or affiliation
with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing dental education program.
The author discloses that she has a financial interest in consulting dental professionals in the subject matter
and has a financial interest with an instrument company that has a product or service mentioned in this course.
dentaltown.com \\ JANUARY 2017

97


http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown January 2017

CE Update
On Dentaltown.com
Study Abroad: Live CE Events
Industry News
New Products
Poll
Product Profile: Glidewell Laboratories
Ad Index
Product Profile: OCO Biomedical
The Curious History of Occlusion in Dentistry
Making a Good First Impression
Townie Meeting 2017 Preview
Howard Speaks: Suck It Up Buttercup
Professional Courtesy: Package Deal
Show Your Work: Crowning a Winner
Product Profile: Aspen Dental
Dentally Incorrect
Message Boards: Best Way to Text Patients
Message Boards: Teach An Old Guy About Perio
Message Boards: Powerprox 6-Month Braces (Trouble Getting Started)
Office Visit
Does My Patient Need A Gum Graft
Earn Your Keepers
CE Requirements by State
CE: Honing Our Edge
Dentaltown January 2017 - Intro
Dentaltown January 2017 - Cover1
Dentaltown January 2017 - Cover2
Dentaltown January 2017 - 1
Dentaltown January 2017 - 2
Dentaltown January 2017 - 3
Dentaltown January 2017 - 4
Dentaltown January 2017 - 5
Dentaltown January 2017 - 6
Dentaltown January 2017 - 7
Dentaltown January 2017 - 8
Dentaltown January 2017 - 9
Dentaltown January 2017 - On Dentaltown.com
Dentaltown January 2017 - 11
Dentaltown January 2017 - Howard Speaks: Suck It Up Buttercup
Dentaltown January 2017 - 13
Dentaltown January 2017 - 14
Dentaltown January 2017 - 15
Dentaltown January 2017 - Professional Courtesy: Package Deal
Dentaltown January 2017 - 17
Dentaltown January 2017 - CE Update
Dentaltown January 2017 - 19
Dentaltown January 2017 - 20
Dentaltown January 2017 - 21
Dentaltown January 2017 - Study Abroad: Live CE Events
Dentaltown January 2017 - 23
Dentaltown January 2017 - Industry News
Dentaltown January 2017 - New Products
Dentaltown January 2017 - Poll
Dentaltown January 2017 - 27
Dentaltown January 2017 - Show Your Work: Crowning a Winner
Dentaltown January 2017 - 29
Dentaltown January 2017 - 30
Dentaltown January 2017 - 31
Dentaltown January 2017 - Message Boards: Best Way to Text Patients
Dentaltown January 2017 - 33
Dentaltown January 2017 - 34
Dentaltown January 2017 - 35
Dentaltown January 2017 - 36
Dentaltown January 2017 - 37
Dentaltown January 2017 - Message Boards: Teach An Old Guy About Perio
Dentaltown January 2017 - 39
Dentaltown January 2017 - 40
Dentaltown January 2017 - 41
Dentaltown January 2017 - 42
Dentaltown January 2017 - Message Boards: Powerprox 6-Month Braces (Trouble Getting Started)
Dentaltown January 2017 - 44
Dentaltown January 2017 - 45
Dentaltown January 2017 - 46
Dentaltown January 2017 - 47
Dentaltown January 2017 - Office Visit
Dentaltown January 2017 - 49
Dentaltown January 2017 - 50
Dentaltown January 2017 - 51
Dentaltown January 2017 - 52
Dentaltown January 2017 - 53
Dentaltown January 2017 - The Curious History of Occlusion in Dentistry
Dentaltown January 2017 - 55
Dentaltown January 2017 - 56
Dentaltown January 2017 - 57
Dentaltown January 2017 - 58
Dentaltown January 2017 - 59
Dentaltown January 2017 - 60
Dentaltown January 2017 - 61
Dentaltown January 2017 - 62
Dentaltown January 2017 - Making a Good First Impression
Dentaltown January 2017 - 64
Dentaltown January 2017 - 65
Dentaltown January 2017 - Does My Patient Need A Gum Graft
Dentaltown January 2017 - 67
Dentaltown January 2017 - 68
Dentaltown January 2017 - 69
Dentaltown January 2017 - 70
Dentaltown January 2017 - 71
Dentaltown January 2017 - Earn Your Keepers
Dentaltown January 2017 - 73
Dentaltown January 2017 - 74
Dentaltown January 2017 - 75
Dentaltown January 2017 - Townie Meeting 2017 Preview
Dentaltown January 2017 - 77
Dentaltown January 2017 - 78
Dentaltown January 2017 - 79
Dentaltown January 2017 - 80
Dentaltown January 2017 - 81
Dentaltown January 2017 - 82
Dentaltown January 2017 - 83
Dentaltown January 2017 - 84
Dentaltown January 2017 - 85
Dentaltown January 2017 - 86
Dentaltown January 2017 - 87
Dentaltown January 2017 - Product Profile: Glidewell Laboratories
Dentaltown January 2017 - Ad Index
Dentaltown January 2017 - Product Profile: OCO Biomedical
Dentaltown January 2017 - 91
Dentaltown January 2017 - Product Profile: Aspen Dental
Dentaltown January 2017 - 93
Dentaltown January 2017 - CE Requirements by State
Dentaltown January 2017 - 95
Dentaltown January 2017 - CE: Honing Our Edge
Dentaltown January 2017 - 97
Dentaltown January 2017 - 98
Dentaltown January 2017 - 99
Dentaltown January 2017 - 100
Dentaltown January 2017 - 101
Dentaltown January 2017 - 102
Dentaltown January 2017 - Dentally Incorrect
Dentaltown January 2017 - 104
Dentaltown January 2017 - Cover3
Dentaltown January 2017 - Cover4
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