Gracey curette

11/12

17/18 

A Gracey Curette is a periodontal hand instrument used in dentistry, especially for scaling and root planing (deep cleaning of teeth and roots). It is area-specific, meaning each Gracey curette is designed to clean a particular tooth surface. 

🔹 Key Features:

Area-specific: Unlike a universal curette, only one cutting edge of a Gracey curette is sharpened and used. 

Blade angulation: The blade is offset at about 70° to the shank, which allows the lower cutting edge to be used against the tooth surface. 

Rounded back and toe: This design prevents trauma to gum tissue while working inside periodontal pockets. 

Shank design: Long and curved shanks provide access to deep or narrow pockets around different teeth. 

🔹 Common Types and Their Uses :

Gracey 1–2 → Anterior teeth (all surfaces)

Gracey 7–8 / 9–10 → Posterior teeth (buccal and lingual surfaces) 

Gracey 11–12 → Posterior teeth (mesial surfaces) 

Gracey 13–14 → Posterior teeth (distal surfaces) 

Gracey 15- 16  :  posterior teeth ( mesial surfaces)

Gracey 17- 18 :  posterior teeth ( distal surfaces)

🔹Clinical Use:

Removes calculus (tartar), plaque, and bacterial biofilm from teeth. 

Smoothens root surfaces (root planing) to help gums reattach to teeth. 

Provides tactile sensitivity to detect roughness or calculus below the gumline. 

 In short, a Gracey Curette is a specialized, site-specific dental instrument designed for safe and precise cleaning of different tooth surfaces during periodontal therapy.

Zhermack Putty Impression Material

What is Putty Impression Material?

Zhermack Putty Impression Material  (Base & Catalyst) Putty impression materials is addition silicone (PVS – Polyvinyl Siloxane) impression materials, supplied in two parts: 

 

1. Base Paste (Zhermack Putty Base) Usually colored (yellow, blue, or green depending on brand). Contains polyvinyl siloxane polymer and fillers. Provides bulk and body to the material. Determines viscosity (very high / putty consistency

 2. Catalyst Paste (Zhermack Putty Catalyst / Hardener) Usually  white in color.   Contains cross-linking agent (hydrogen siloxane) and platinum salt catalyst. Initiates chemical reaction when mixed with base paste. Mixing & Setting Equal amounts of base and catalyst are mixed until a uniform color is obtained. 

Working time: ~1–2 minutes. 

Setting time: ~3–5 minutes (depending on brand). 

What is Putty used for?

• Preliminary impression in crown & bridge. Used with light body wash technique (Putty-Wash technique). High viscosity makes it ideal for capturing gross anatomy and provides support for light body material. 

In short: Zhermack Catalyst = white paste (bulk, polymer). Zhermack Base = colored paste (initiates setting).