Which instrument is subgingival, with one cutting edge per end and a 70° offset?

• A. Gracey Curette
• B. Sickle Scaler
• C. Universal Curette
• D. Air Polisher

Answer: (A)

Subgingival debridement relies on instruments designed to adapt precisely to each tooth surface in a pocket. The Gracey curette fits this need because each end has just one cutting edge, and the blade is offset a about 70 degrees from the lower shank. That offset puts the cutting edge in the correct orientation to follow root surfaces while the handle remains comfortable and the shank parallel to the tooth axis. This design lets you work below the gingival margin with controlled, narrow strokes that minimize tissue trauma and maximize root surface contact.

In contrast, a sickle scaler is typically used for supragingival deposits, has two cutting edges, and lacks the purposeful offset that coordinates with subgingival anatomy. A universal curette has two cutting edges on each end and is not area-specific, so it isn’t optimized for subgingival angulation in pockets. An air polisher operates on a different principle entirely and isn’t a cutting-edge curette for root surfaces.