Atlas · Plate XI · Instrumentation · 09
Sharpening
A dull edge reflects a line of light and slides on a plastic test stick. With the moving-stone method, hold the stone at 100-110 degrees to the face to keep the 70-80 degree internal angle, and finish on a downstroke to avoid a wire edge. Sharpen both edges of sickles and universal curettes but only the lower edge of a Gracey.
High-yield facts · 6
- Sharpen when the edge becomes dull; a dull edge reflects light (a shiny line) and slides on a plastic test stick.T3
- Moving-stone technique: stabilize the instrument and move the stone; aim for a 100-110 degree angle between the face and the stone, giving a 70-80 degree internal angle.T3
- End with a downstroke to avoid a wire edge.T3
- Sharpen Graceys on the lower cutting edge only; sharpen both edges of sickles and universals.T3
- Stones: Arkansas (natural, fine, oiled), India (synthetic, medium), ceramic (synthetic, used dry or with water), composition (coarse, for reshaping).T3
- Sterilize sharpening stones before use on contaminated instruments, or sharpen after sterilization.T3S7
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