A universal curette is a hand instrument used in dental hygiene and periodontal (gum) care. It is designed to remove plaque biofilm and calculus (tartar) from both above and below the gumline. It has a rounded toe and a curved cutting edge that can adapt to many tooth surfaces. It is commonly used during professional cleanings and non-surgical periodontal therapy.

A Gracey curette is a hand-held dental instrument used to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth and below the gumline. It is most commonly used in periodontal care, including professional cleanings and treatment for gum disease. Unlike “universal” scalers, a Gracey curette is area-specific, meaning different versions are designed for different tooth surfaces. It is used by dentists and dental hygienists in both routine and more advanced debridement (cleaning) appointments.

A hand scaler is a manual dental instrument used to remove plaque and hardened buildup from teeth. It is commonly used during professional cleanings and periodontal (gum) care. The clinician guides it by hand rather than using powered vibration. It is most often used along the gumline and between teeth where deposits collect.

An ultrasonic scaler is a dental instrument that uses high-frequency vibration to help remove plaque and hardened buildup from teeth. It is most commonly used during professional cleanings and periodontal (gum) therapy. The device works with a water spray to cool the tip and help flush away debris. You may encounter it in general dentistry, dental hygiene visits, and periodontal care.

debridement means removing unwanted material from teeth or oral tissues. In dentistry, it commonly refers to removing plaque, tartar (calculus), and inflamed or infected tissue. It is used in preventive care, periodontal (gum) treatment, and some surgical settings. The goal is to create a cleaner surface so tissues can heal and future treatment can be more effective.

SRP is a clinician shorthand that often refers to a resin-based restorative paste used for small tooth repairs and sealing. It is typically a tooth-colored, light-cured composite resin material placed directly in the mouth. SRP is commonly used in minimally invasive restorative dentistry for small cavities, marginal repairs, and protective sealing. Exact product composition and the meaning of the abbreviation can vary by clinician and case.

root planing is a dental procedure that cleans and smooths the root surfaces of teeth below the gumline. It is commonly performed as part of non-surgical periodontal (gum disease) therapy, often alongside “scaling.” The goal is to remove plaque and hardened deposits (calculus) and reduce surface roughness where bacteria can attach. It is most often used when gum inflammation is linked to deeper pockets around teeth.

scaling is a dental cleaning procedure that removes plaque and hardened deposits from teeth. It is commonly used to manage gum inflammation and support periodontal (gum) health. scaling can be done above the gumline and, when needed, below the gumline in deeper areas. It may be performed with hand instruments, ultrasonic devices, or a combination of both.

UNC-15 probe is a calibrated dental instrument used to measure gum and periodontal (supporting tissue) conditions. It is most commonly used during periodontal charting to measure pocket depth around teeth. The tip has millimeter markings up to 15 mm, allowing more detailed measurements than shorter probes. Dentists and dental hygienists use it in routine exams and periodontal assessments.

A Williams probe is a hand-held dental measuring instrument used to assess gum and bone support around teeth. It has millimeter markings that help clinicians measure the depth of the space between the tooth and gum. It is most commonly used during periodontal (gum) examinations and routine dental checkups. The measurements are recorded to help describe gum health and monitor changes over time.