Sharpening Step-By-Step Guide (Part 1)

This section takes you step-by-step through the correct method for sharpening your hand instruments

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Sharpening Booklet March 2006

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sharpening-booklet-2006.pdf (size: 508k)

Introduction

DENTSPLY Ash Instruments are delivered to you with factory-sharp cutting edges. These will remove calculus with minimum effort and will cause the least possible trauma to the tooth, root or gingival surface.

Gradually, this precisely angled cutting edge will be dulled by contact with hard tooth enamel, making calculus removal harder. This will mean the procedure takes longer, and could result in burnishing calculus. The instrument could also damage the gingiva by skidding along the surface instead of cutting.

Keeping your Ash periodontal instruments sharp is simple and takes little time. By following a simple sharpening routine, your instruments will reward you with a long trouble-free working life.

You don't need to sharpen tungsten carbide (TC)-tipped instruments (most Ash Instrument Hoes have TC tips)

Sharpening instruments eventually alters the shape and reduces the size of the blade. The instrument will also weaken after repeated sharpening, and may collapse during clinical use. DENTSPLY recommends you replace all cutting instruments when the blade has been reduced by 50%.

Introducing the Sharpening Equipment

The Ash Sharpening Kit comes supplied with the following equipment (Order ref: 62499200):

2 x Test Stick – This acrylic rod is easy to use for testing instrument sharpness (angle the handle 45° to the stone). Sharpening Oil – A light mineral oil, used to lubricate the sharpening stone and carry away metal debris. Flat Sharpening Stone – The Ash Sharpening kit contains a smooth, man-made stone that will create as fine an edge as an Arkansas stone, yet is long-lasting and hard enough to re-shape blunt instruments. Sharpening Rod – A 3.5mm stone rod, used to give a final edge to curved blades

You may also find that a magnifying glass or, ideally, a x10 Loupe will help you see the instrument cutting edge and angles you have created.

Always test all parts of the cutting edge with the Test Stick - this is much safer and more hygienic than using something like your thumb nail, which may harbour bacteria.

Cleaning and Sterilisation

Always clean instruments before sharpening. Sterilisation instructions for all Ash hand instruments can be found by clicking here. Your sharpening kit can be kept clean with soap and water.

Getting Started

The objective of sharpening is to maintain the original blade contour created by the original factory technician. With a little practice, any shape of cutting edge can be sharpened successfully.

To begin sharpening, you need to understand the instrument shape and where the correct cutting edges are. You may find it useful to examine an unused instrument at this stage.

To assess the instrument, view the cutting edge in good light. This edge will appear as a bar of light when blunt, but appear to have no width when sharp. Magnification will help you identify this more easily as you are learning.

Two basic grips are used when sharpening: the Pen Grip; and the Palm Grip.

Pen Grip

Hold your forefinger on the neck of the instrument with your thumb behind, and handle resting between the first joint of the middle finger

Palm Grip

Take the instrument between your forefinger and thumb, with the rest of the instrument disappearing in the palm of your hand

To begin sharpening, place the stone about 15cm (6 inches) in front of you and hold it with one hand to steady it.

Sharpen with a flat stone on a level surface, to reduce the risk of cutting your hand should the instrument, or stone slip.

Make no more than three strokes at any one time; check and repeat if more sharpening is necessary.

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