The value of sharpening
Modern day industry strives to find increasingly wear-resistant materials to minimise the breakdown of the cutting edge of periodontal instruments. Some companies offer instruments made of alloys that are very hard, however they cannot be sharpened and their working lives are difficult to predict.
For decades now, Hu-Friedy has produced instruments made of increasingly more hardwearing alloys, that require less frequent sharpening and offer greater edge retention. An added value is that the user has full control over the edge and can ensure it is perfectly fit for its intended purpose – removal of tartar or plaque, polishing or detoxification. The wide range available today makes the use of an instrument that can be sharpened the best choice for every clinician providing non-surgical periodontal treatment. Sharpening is quick and simple for operators skilled in handling periodontal instruments, however it can be daunting for some.
That is why, on request, Hu-Friedy can organise specific training on sharpening, in order for users to learn the correct approach, ensure a longer life for their instruments and maintain their performance at the highest level.
In short, the advantages are:
- Longer life and better durability
- Less frequent replacement of instruments
- Greater control during treatment
- Wider choice of instruments
It is also worth considering that most dental surgeries will have a wide range of instruments and most will benefit from regular maintenance, so it is an essential skill to know how to handle and sharpen them correctly!
Consolata Pejrone, RDH has a Certificate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and a Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene by the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). She obtained the attainment of the National Board for Dental Hygienists, the Northeast Regional Board in Boston and the California Board at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Since 2006 she is a faculty member in the Dental Hygiene School at the University of Turin, Italy. At the day she practices the profession as dental hygienist in different private practices in Northern Italy. Speaker of several national and international continuing educational programs, she holds lectures to dental hygienists, dental assistants, general dentists, periodontists and medical doctors.