How many cutting surfaces do Gracey curettes have?

Gracey curettes are designed with a specific anatomical structure that includes a single cutting edge on each instrument, which is ideal for scaling and root planing in periodontal therapy. Each Gracey curette has a curved blade with one sharpened cutting edge that is angulated to adapt to the tooth surfaces, making it particularly effective for accessing the proximal areas and other challenging surfaces in periodontal treatment.

The design of a Gracey curette allows for instrumentation in a focused manner, as practitioners can achieve optimal adaptation to the tooth’s root contour while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. The cutting edge serves its purpose well due to its unique design, permitting efficient removal of calculus and plaque from the tooth surfaces, especially in areas that are more difficult to reach.

This specificity in their design – having one working edge and a non-cutting back and side – distinguishes them from other types of curettes or scalers that may have multiple cutting edges. Hence, the answer regarding their cutting surfaces reflects the integral characteristics that make Gracey curettes a vital tool in periodontal practice.