What is the primary use of curettes in periodontal therapy?

Curettes play a crucial role in periodontal therapy, primarily used for both scaling and root planing. Scaling involves the removal of plaque, calculus, and biofilm from the tooth surfaces above and below the gum line. This process is essential for managing and preventing periodontal disease.

Root planing, on the other hand, is the procedure that follows scaling and focuses on smoothing the root surfaces to remove any remaining plaque and calculus while creating an environment conducive to healing. This dual function of scaling and root planing is vital for promoting periodontal health, as both cleaning and smoothing are necessary to help the gums reattach to the teeth and reduce inflammation.

Other options, such as just scaling or root planing only, do not encompass the full primary use of curettes in periodontal therapy. Polishing teeth, while important for aesthetics and overall cleanliness, is not the primary function of curettes; this task is typically accomplished with different instruments designed specifically for that purpose. Therefore, choosing the option that recognizes both scaling and root planing reflects the comprehensive role of curettes in treating periodontal disease.