The two basic curettes are which of the following?

The two basic curettes are which of the following?

• A. Gracey
• B. Universal & Gracey
• C. Scalers
• D. Files

Answer: (B)

Two basic curettes are universal and Gracey. The universal curet has a blade with two cutting edges and a symmetry that lets you work on all tooth surfaces, making it a versatile option for broad root debridement. It requires careful angulation and proper adaptation to each surface to keep the blade in contact with the root and avoid gouging. Gracey curettes, by contrast, are area-specific and typically single-ended, with each instrument designed for a particular tooth surface or region. This design keeps the correct angulation with minimal blade repositioning, making instrumentation of pockets and root surfaces efficient. Together, they cover the main approaches to curetting: a general-purpose option for broad access and a set of surface-specific tools for precision. Scalers and files serve different roles—scalers for supragingival scaling and files for planing or smoothing—so they aren’t categorized as curettes.

Two basic curettes are universal and Gracey. The universal curet has a blade with two cutting edges and a symmetry that lets you work on all tooth surfaces, making it a versatile option for broad root debridement. It requires careful angulation and proper adaptation to each surface to keep the blade in contact with the root and avoid gouging. Gracey curettes, by contrast, are area-specific and typically single-ended, with each instrument designed for a particular tooth surface or region. This design keeps the correct angulation with minimal blade repositioning, making instrumentation of pockets and root surfaces efficient. Together, they cover the main approaches to curetting: a general-purpose option for broad access and a set of surface-specific tools for precision. Scalers and files serve different roles—scalers for supragingival scaling and files for planing or smoothing—so they aren’t categorized as curettes.