Vision Curvettes®

Vision Curvettes

• In this tutorial you will learn:– What Vision Curvettes are– Types of Vision Curvettes– Features and Benefits of Vision Curvettes– Illustrated uses of Vision Curvettes

Introduction

• The Vision Curvette Instrument Set was designed in cooperation with Barbara Long, RDH, a dental hygiene educator in Saskatchewan, Canada.

• They are a patented modification to the

Gracey Curettes.

• Hu-Friedy, which pioneered Dr. Gracey’s designs, has the exclusive world-wide rights to sell these instruments which incorporate Barbara Long’s research.

Vision Curvettes

• The Vision Curvettes are a modification of the Gracey Curettes.

• The modifications include:– 50% shorter blade– Increased blade curvature– Straighter terminal shank– Longer terminal shank

• Several visual features have been added to the Vision Curvettes as well.– The visual features include:

• Blade I.D. mark• Shank demarcation• Bands on handles

Vision Curvettes

• This illustration outlines the differences between the Standard Gracey and the Vision Curvette.

+

OUTLINE OFVISION CURVETTE

(solid)

OUTLINE OFGRACEY CURETTE

(dashed)

Vision Curvettes

Available in 4 modified Gracey patterns:– Sub-0, 1/2, 11/12, and 13/14

SGCSUB-0

SGC1/2

SGC11/12

SGC13/14

Vision Curvettes

SGCSUB-0

SGC1/2 SGC11/12

SGC13/14

• For anterior and premolar surfaces.

• Longer shank reaches deep into the pocket.

• For anterior and premolar surfaces.

• Improves deposit removal and root planing in interproximal areas.

• For improved adaptation on mesial surfaces of molars.

• Great adaptation into furcations.

• For improved adaptation on distal surfaces of molars.

• Great adaptation into furcations.

Blade Length Reduced 50%

• Modification– Blade length reduced

50%.

• Rationale– Provides better

adaptation on narrow root surfaces and tight periodontal pockets.

– Minimizes tissue displacement.

Blade Length ReductionVision Curvette design comparison (to standard Gracey)

Vision Curvettes

• This photo illustrates how the reduced blade on the Vision Curvette (left) provides better adaptation.

Increased Blade Curvature

• Modification– Increased blade

curvature.

• Rationale– Improved adaptation to

smaller root dimensions.

– To remove deposits from the pocket.

Blade CurvatureVision Curvette design comparison (to Mini Five Curette)

Vision Curvettes

• The increased blade curvature improves adaptation, particularly at line angles.

• The curvature also aids in removal of a deposit once it has been dislodged.

Raised Band on Shank

• New Feature– Raised band from

5mm to 10mm on shank.

• Rationale– Helps to visually

assess pocket depth during instrumentation and helps compare with periodontal charting and tactile sensation.

10mm mark

5mm mark

Vision Curvettes

View of Vision Curvette Sub-0 (SGCSUB-0) on a model.

• Illustrates the blade adaptation and shank markings.

Blade Identification Mark

• New Feature– Small “+” identification

mark on the handle to identify the cutting edge.

• Rationale– Quick determination

of cutting edge, saves time.

Blade ID mark

Elongated Terminal Shank

• New Feature– Elongated terminal shank

on posterior instruments.

• Rationale– Access in pocket > 4 mm.

Ter

min

al S

hank

Vision Curvettes

• The 11/12 and 13/14 designs are designed with a 3mm elongated terminal shank for improved access to deeper pockets.

• The Sub-0 design also features an elongated shank (from its original curvette design) and the 1/2 has shank length similar to the Gracey 1/2.

Vision Curvettes

The Vision Curvette (left) easily accesses deep periodontal pockets.

Vision Curvettes

• View of Vision Curvette 13/14 (SGC13/14) on a model.

• The 13/14 design, with all the new vision features and small curved blade, provides excellent access in the furcation areas.

Banding System• New Feature

– Banding system on the handles of the posterior Vision Curvettes.

11/12 Mesial - one band

13/14 Distal - double band

• Rationale– Aids in quickly identifying the instrument you require. – Eliminates the need to have the numbers imprinted on

the handles (available only in the #4 handle)

Summary

• The Vision Curvettes include the following enhancements to the original Gracey Curettes:

– 50% shorter blade– Increased blade curvature– Straighter and longer terminal shank– Blade I.D. mark (“+”)– 5mm and 10mm Markings on the shank– Bands on handles

Part Codes

• SGCSUB0 – SUB-0– For anterior teeth, primarily labial, lingual surfaces and

line angles.

• SGC1/2 – Curvette 1/2– For broader anterior and premolar surfaces.

• SGC11/12 – Curvette 11/12– For mesial posterior surfaces and furcations; elongated

shank, 1 band on handle for easy identification.

• SGC13/14 – Curvette 13/14– For distal posterior surfaces and furcations; elongated

shanks; 2 bands on handle for easy identification.

• SGC4-PACK– Set of all 4 Vision Curvettes.

• All designs available in the #4 and # 6 handle.

Conclusion

• As a clinician, the Vision Curvettes provide you the following benefits:– Better adaptation on narrow root surfaces and tight

periodontal pockets.– Aid in the removal of deposits from the pocket.– Ability to easily identify the cutting edge.– Determine subgingival depth.

Special Thanks

• Hu-Friedy would like to thank Barbara Long for her input and for sending us images for use in our presentation.

Qualifying Question

• Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Hu-Friedy’s Vision Curvettes.

• To earn your Hu-Points towards a product evaluation, please exit and answer the following question on the Member Resources Page:

Which of the following is not a benefit of the modified blade (50% shorter and increased curvature)?

a) Eases removal of loosened deposits from the pocketb) Adapts well around line anglesc) Maximizes tissue displacementd) More access into narrow pockets