1. PeriodonticsInstruments
Explorers
- Use:1.Locate Sub-gingival Deposits and Caries.
2.Check Smoothness of root surface after planning.
3.Assess Restorative problems.
- Thin, Flexible, Wire-like working end. Taper to sharp point.
- Curved, Right-angled & Area specific.
Periodontal Probes
- Use:1.Locate &Measure depth of pocket and determine it’s
configuration.
2. Assess Loss of Attachment.
3. Detect Sub-gingival Deposits.
- Tapered with blunt round tip, mm markings for accuracy.
- Ball-end to avoid penetration into junctional epithelium.
- Diameter less than or equal 0.6 mm.
- Probing Force more than 0.25 N traumatize healthy tissue. (25-50g for
clinic)
- Ball-end to avoid penetration into junctional epithelium.
A, Marquis color-coded probe. B, UNC-15 probe. C, University of Michigan “O”
probe, with Williams markings. D, Michigan “O” probe with markings at 3, 6, and
8 mm. E, World Health Organization (WHO) probe.

2. WHO Probe or Screening Probe
- 0.5 mm ball at tip
- mm markings at 3.5, 8.5, 11.5 mm
- Color coding from 3.5 to 5.5 mm
Williams Probe
- Marking at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm
- Color & non-Color coding
Marquis Color-coded Probe:
- Calibrations in 3 mm sections
UNC-15 Probe
- 15 mm long
- Marking at each mm
- Color coding at 5, 10, 15 mm
Michigan “O” Probe
- With Williams markings, or
- With markings at 3, 6, 8 mm
Nabers Probe
- Used for Furcation
- Accurate Horizontal detection
- 1 N for Mesial & Distal
- 2 N for Facial & Lingual – Color coding 3, 6, 9, 12 mm
Goldman Fox
- Flat end
- with Williams marking at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm
Maryland Moffit
- with Williams marking at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm
- Ball end
A, Curette; B,sickle; C, file; D, chisel; E, hoe.

3. Sickle Scalers
- Use: 1. Coronal & Supra-gingival Scaling only, due to large blade.
2. Removal of Supra-gingival Deposits especially below contacts
in Anterior region.
- Method:Pull Stroke.
- Thin, Triangular cross section, Point to Tip, Double cutting edge and
Working tip.
- Pointed Tip increases root surface roughness.
- Straight for Anterior & Curved for Posterior.
- Single-end or Double-end.
- Other types: Cumine Universal Scaler& Posterior JacquetteScaler.
Hoe Scalers
- Use: 1. Remove Ledges or Heavy Rings of Calculus Supra & Sub-
gingival.
2. Planning & Smoothening Root surface.
3. Remove Calculus remnants.
4. Remove Heavy deposits on Distal of Terminal Molar.
- Method:Pull Stroke.
- Cutting edge beveled at 45 degrees.
- Blade bent at 99 degrees, back of blade is rounded.
- 2 contact point with tooth.
Files
- Use: 1. Fracture or Crush Large Deposits in Deep, Narrow Periodontal
Pockets.
2. Effective for Burnished or Smooth Calculus, Tenacious
Calculus. (Remove Tenacious Sub-gingival Deposits).
3. Remove Overhanging Restorations.
- Method:Pull & Push and Pull Strokes.
- Doesn’t reach apical portion of pocket.
- Not indicated to remove Bacterial Plaque or Endotoxins.
- Head (Body), Shank & Handle.
- Hirschfield series: 3 cutting edges – Fracture Heavy Calculus
- Orban design: 6 cutting edges – Fracture Heavy Calculus
- Bendbug File: 10-11 cutting edges – Smoothen Roots and CEJ, &
Remove Moderate Deposits.
- Less no.of cutting edges more the fracture of large deposits.

4. Chisel Scalers
- Use: 1. Proximal of Anterior Teeth.
2. Remove Tenacious Sub-gingival Deposits.
- Method:Push Stroke. Horizontally from Labial to Lingual.
- Double-ended.
- Curved & Straight Shanks on ends with 45 degrees bevel.
Curettes
- Use: 1. Remove Deep Sub-gingival Calculus
2. Root Planning altered Cementum.
3. Remove Soft Tissue lining of Periodontal Pocket.
4. Used on Flat concave and convex root surfaces.
- Method:Push Stroke. Horizontally from Labial to Lingual.
- Single-ended or Double-ended.
- Semi-circular cross section; convex base.
- Rounded Tip.
- 1 or 2 Cutting edges.
- No sharp points other than cutting edge of blade.
Universal Curettes
- Use:Remove Plaque & Calculus at Interproximal surface, between
gingival or crown margin & Inaccessible Furcation.
- Used in Most Areas.
- 90 degrees with lower shank. (when seen in cross section from tip)
Face offset beveled at 80 to 90 degrees to Terminal shank.
Gracey- Area Specific Curettes
- Use:Sub-gingival Scaling & Root Planning.
- Only instrument with Curved Cutting edge. Adapt to curved tooth surfaces.
- Face offset beveled at 60 to 70 degrees.
- Lower number more anterior in mouth.
#1-2 and #3-4 : Anterior
#5-6 : Anterior & Premolar
#7-8 and #9-10 : Posterior Facial & Lingual
#11-12 : Posterior Mesial
#13-14 : Posterior Distal
Gracey after Five e.g: Hu-Friedy after Five
- Extend shank 3 mm. Used for Pocket more than 5 mm.
Gracey Mini e.g: Hu-Friedy Mini
- Half Standard.

5. Periodontal Endoscope
- Use:Visualize Deep pockets and Furcation during scaling and root
planning.
SchawartzPeriotreivers
- Set of double-ended highly magnetized instruments designed for retrieval of
broken instrument tips from periodontal pocket.
Plastic Instrument
- Avoid Permanent Damage to Implant surfaces.
Diagnostic Instruments
Periodontal Probes, Nabers Probes, & Explorers.
Scaling & Root Planning and Curettage Instruments
Supra-gingival Scaling (Sickle scaler, Cumine Universal scaler, Posterior
Jacquettescaler)
Sub-gingival Scaling (Hoe, Chisel and File scalers& Curettes)
Sonic & Ultrasonic Instruments
Cleansing & Polishing Instruments
Rubber Cups, Brushes, Air Power Abrasive System.
Surgical Instruments
Excisional & Incisional Instruments, Surgical Curettes and Sickles,
Periosteal Elevators, Surgical Chisels, Hoes, Files, Scissors & Nippers.