Sharp Week

Whether an instrument relies on special coatings or sound metallurgical processes, no instrument can stay sharp forever. As you run a sharp edge over a hard surface, the edge will round and wear slightly with each stroke. Over time, those small changes add up, forcing you to apply more pressure to the instrument to get it to cut properly. This gradual wear can be hard to spot, leading to more discomfort for both you and your patient and a higher chance of burnishing calculus.

By creating instruments that not only hold their edge but can also be resharpened, plus a sharpening system that’s easy to use, PDT has designed a system for high-quality instruments that provide real longevity and comfort.

While many practitioners try to do their sharpening on a weekly or daily basis, sharpening your instruments should be based on use rather than time. There are two common ways to check if your instrument is still sharp: the visual glare test or through the use of a test surface like PDT’s PingRing™.

The visual glare test involves evaluating the light reflection off the junction of the face and the lateral side of the blade. If light reflects at that point, then you know you need to resharpen. If you can’t see that reflection in the edge, then you know it’s sharp.

To test the sharpness with a PingRing™, place your blade at the angle you would be using it on a tooth. Then, use your fulcrum and apply a normal amount of pressure. The blade should grab the surface and you’ll hear a pinging sound that tells you the edge is sharp. If the instrument slides across the ring, then you know that it’s time to resharpen.

At PDT, we use ceramic sharpening stones because they’re harder, leading to greater longevity. Plus, you don’t have to use oil or water when you’re sharpening with them. By combining durability with convenience, our ceramic stones don’t become a hindrance to maintaining a regular sharpening schedule.

Yes, it can. The Gleason Guide’s sharpened bevel is based off the terminal shank, so any scaler, curette, or Gracey can be sharpened effectively with the Gleason Guide regardless of manufacturer. Keep in mind that some instruments use coatings to maintain their edge, and may not be able to be safely resharpened. Always check a manufacturer’s guidelines before using any sharpening method with these types of instruments.