Sickle ScalersClinical Application Guide

Sickle Scalers

• In this tutorial you will learn:– Types of sickle scalers – Sickle scaler blade designs– Sickle scaler instrumentation– Clinical uses of sickle scalers

Sickle Scalers

• Sickle scalers are designed for moderate to heavy deposit removal.

• Specific sickle scalers are available for anterior or posterior applications.

• They are mainly used to remove supragingival calculus or subgingival calculus, located just below the gingiva.

• 2 Blade designs:– Straight– Curved

Sickle Scalers – Straight Blade

• Two cutting edges on a straight blade that end in a sharp point.

• Also known as a Jacquette Scaler.

Cutting edge

Face

Back Cutting edge Lateral surface

°

Sickle Scalers – Straight Blade

Excellent for broad facial and lingual surfaces and can also be used interproximally.

SJ30/339

Sickle Scalers – Curved Blade

Two cutting edges on a curved blade that end in a sharp point.

Cutting edge

Face

Back Cutting edge Lateral surface

°

Sickle Scalers – Curved Blade

Excellent for the removal of interproximal deposits.

SH6/79

Sickle Scaler Instrumentation

• To remove calculus, adapt the tip 1/3 of the cutting edge against the tooth, under the deposit. Tilt the facial surface of the blade toward the tooth to achieve an approximate 85° angle between the tooth and the blade.

• Apply lateral pressure against the tooth and pull the scaler firmly upward to dislodge the deposit.

Pull Stroke

Lateral Pressure

85°

Sickle Scaler Instrumentation• Both sides (cutting edges) of the blade can be used for

mesial or distal, facial or lingual application.

• The instrumentation sequence is the same as for universal curettes, using anterior and posterior designs.

• Anterior sickle scalers have a straight shank compared to the angled shank of posterior sickle scalers.

Anterior - Straight shank Posterior - Angled shank

Hu-Friedy Sickle Scalers

• Hu-Friedy offers an array of sickle scalers.

• Many designs are available with different handle options including EverEdge Technology.

• Please refer to the Hu-Friedy catalog at www.hu-friedy.com for more information on all the sickle scalers available.

Qualifying Question

• Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the clinical applications of sickle scalers.

• To earn your Hu-Points towards a product evaluation, please exit and answer the following question on the Member Resources Page:

Which sickle scaler did we use as an example to illustrate curved blade instrumentation?

a) H5/U15b) SH6/7c) S204Sd) All of the abovee) None of the above