Scalers

Scalers are essential hand instruments for professional dental cleaning and periodontal therapy. The range at Praxisdienst is aimed exclusively at dentists, dental hygienists and dental professionals – not intended for home use or self-treatment. Whether referred to as scalers or dental scalers, these instruments are designed for the precise removal of supra- and subgingival plaque in clinical and practice-based dental care.

What Is a Scaler?

A scaler is a dental hand instrument used for the removal of hardened calculus, deposits, and plaque. Cleaning above the gum line is referred to as supragingival treatment, while cleaning below the gum line – for example within periodontal pockets – is known as subgingival treatment. Scalers are mainly used for supragingival scaling, whereas specially angled curettes are typically used for subgingival procedures.

High-quality dental scalers and curettes are manufactured from stainless steel. This material is durable, corrosion-resistant, and fully suitable for sterilisation, allowing reliable reprocessing in accordance with dental practice hygiene standards.

Scaler or Curette? The Difference

The key difference lies in the working end of the instrument. A scaler features a pointed, triangular working end with two cutting edges and a sharp tip. It is designed for the removal of hard deposits on tooth surfaces and in interdental areas above the gum line. A curette, by contrast, has a rounded working end that allows atraumatic insertion into the periodontal pocket, making it suitable for subgingival root planing procedures.

Within curettes, there is an important further distinction. Universal curettes are designed for general use across multiple tooth areas, while Gracey curettes are area-specific instruments. Each Gracey design is adapted to defined tooth surfaces and regions, allowing highly controlled and precise subgingival treatment.

Instrument Types at a Glance

Sickle Scalers

Sickle scalers feature a straight, triangular working end and are used for the supragingival removal of hardened calculus and plaque, particularly on tooth surfaces. They are widely used by dentists, dental hygienists, and preventive care professionals.

Universal Curettes (e.g. McCall)

Universal curettes have a rounded working end and can be used both supragingivally and subgingivally at moderate pocket depths. Their versatile design makes them suitable for use in both dental practices and prophylaxis workflows.

Gracey Curettes (Area-Specific)

Gracey curettes are sharply angled and designed for specific tooth regions depending on the instrument number. They are primarily used in subgingival periodontal therapy and are intended for dentists as well as specialised periodontology and dental hygiene professionals.

Special Instruments

Additional instruments such as Black’s enamel instruments and other dental scalers complement the range. They are used for adjunctive plaque and calculus removal as well as enamel surface treatment and are typically used by dentists and prophylaxis professionals.

Instrument Type	Working End	Application	Clinical Use
Sickle Scaler	Pointed, triangular cross-section	Supragingival	Removal of hard calculus on smooth tooth surfaces
Universal Curette	Rounded, versatile design	Supragingival / limited subgingival	General-purpose plaque and calculus removal
Gracey Curette	Rounded, area-specific	Subgingival	Targeted periodontal therapy and root surface debridement
Enamel Hatchet (Black)	Blade-shaped cutting edge	Supragingival	Enamel refinement and removal of deposits

Buy Scalers at Competitive Prices from Praxisdienst

Anyone looking to buy scalers and curettes will find a comprehensive range of dental hand instruments at Praxisdienst – from sickle scalers and Gracey curettes through to universal curettes according to McCall, complemented by instruments for periodontal therapy and dental prophylaxis. Trusted manufacturers such as Passau Impex, Wittex, and Christophorus CBC are included in the range.

Scalers and curettes differ in design, working end, and intended application in supra- and subgingival treatment. Our specialist customer service team is available to support you in selecting the most suitable instruments for your dental practice – by phone, email, or live chat.

Additional products and complementary dental supplies can be found in the dental instruments category, as well as in the prophylaxis section.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Scalers

A scaler has a pointed, triangular working end and is used supragingivally to remove hard calculus deposits. A curette has a rounded working end and is designed for subgingival treatment within the periodontal pocket. The choice depends on the clinical objective and the specific tooth area.

A dental scaler is a manual instrument used for the professional removal of calculus, tartar and dental plaque. It is part of the standard equipment in prophylaxis and periodontology and is used by dental professionals during routine cleaning procedures.

The cutting edge of the working end mechanically removes hardened deposits from the tooth surface. Scalers are used supragingivally to remove calculus above the gum line, while curettes are used subgingivally for targeted treatment within periodontal pockets.

Dental scalers are used by trained dental professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists and prophylaxis assistants. Proper use requires clinical training and experience and is not intended for unsupervised home use.

Common types include sickle scalers, universal curettes, area-specific Gracey curettes and various specialist instruments. Each type is designed for specific clinical applications and tooth surfaces.