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Implant-safe scalers and curettes
Also called: implant curette, titanium curette, plastic curette, resin scaler, PEEK tip
Titanium, plastic or resin instruments that clean implants without scratching them.
Dental implants are usually titanium. Regular steel instruments can scratch the surface, and scratches hold more biofilm. Implant-safe instruments are made of materials softer than or equal to the implant, such as titanium, plastic, resin or PEEK (a strong plastic). Some ultrasonic units have special non-metal implant tips.
How to spot it
- Often brightly colored plastic or matte gray titanium working ends.
- Plastic probes for implants are flexible and bend around the implant.
What it is used for
Safety and care
- Plastic tips are often single-use; titanium instruments are cleaned and heat-sterilized.
- Never use a steel scaler on an implant surface unless the clinician directs it.
Related
Sources: Today's RDH. Implant Maintenance: An Overview. ; Ergodenta, Implant-safe titanium instruments, Caton JG, Armitage G, Berglundh T et al. A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions. J Clin Periodontol 2018;45 Suppl 20:S1-S8