Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument
Sharpening Techniques
1. Martha is unable to remove calculus deposits from the maxillary right posterior sextant. The
medium-sized deposits are located 3 mm beneath the gingival margin and Martha is using her
universal curet. She is beginning to wonder if the cutting edges on the universal curet are dull.
How can she evaluate the sharpness of the instrument?
A. Hold the working-end under the dental light; if the cutting edge reflects light the edge is dull.
B. Run the cutting edge across a piece of gauze; if the cutting edge catches on the material of the
gauze the edge is sharp.
C. Adapt the cutting edge to a gloveless fingernail; if a fine layer of nail is shaved off the edge is
sharp.
D. Try removing the calculus deposits with an area-specific curet; if the deposits are removed
with the area-specific curet, then the universal curet must be dull.
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
2. Priscilla does not like to sharpen her instruments so she sends them once a month to a
company that specializes in sharpening instruments. Is this an effective solution for maintaining
sharp cutting edges?
A. Yes, because the professional sharpeners will maintain the original design characteristics of
the working-ends better than Priscilla could.
B. No, because the cutting edges should be sharpened as soon as they become dull and not just
once a month.
C. Yes, because sending the instruments away to be sharpened will eliminate the muscle strain
that Priscilla would experience during sharpening.
D. No, because once a month is too often to sharpening instruments; the instrument use life will
be shortened.
Answer: B
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
3. Which of the following is not an outcome of using sharp instruments?
A. A fewer number of instrumentation strokes needed to remove a deposit.
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-1
,B. Less strain placed on the clinician's fingers, hand, and arm.
C. Reduced likelihood of an instrument stick to the clinician's fingers.
D. Increased chance of trauma to the soft tissues from the sharp edge.
Answer: D
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
4. Which of the following terms is defined as “the pointed junction of the instrument face and
lateral surface”?
A. Self-angulated edge
B. Dull cutting edge
C. Sharp cutting edge
D. Wire cutting edge
Answer: C
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
5. Which of the following should not be used when retrieving the broken tip of a working-end
from the mouth?
A. Suction
B. A curet
C. Visual inspection
D. Gauze
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-2
, 6. For a sickle scaler or universal curet, the internal angle formed by the junction of the
instrument face and the lateral surface is between 70 and 80 degrees. For an area-specific curet,
the internal angle formed by the junction of the instrument face and the lateral surface also is
between 70 and 80 degrees.
A. Both statements are true.
B. Both statements are false.
C. The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
D. The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
7. Rashida is sharpening her universal curet by stabilizing her hand on the countertop. She
establishes the stone angulation of 75 degrees and makes several strokes on the heel-third of the
working-end. She evaluates the sharpness of the heel-third of the working-end by adapting the
face of the instrument to a sharpening test stick. However, the working-end does not shave any
plastic from the stick. What is the problem?
A. The heel-third of the cutting edge is not sharp since it is rarely adapted to the tooth.
B. It is incorrect to adapt the instrument face to the test stick.
C. She must use very firm pressure against the test stick when evaluating sharpness.
D. A stone angulation of 75 degrees is incorrect.
Answer: B
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
8. Marshall is sharpening a universal curet. He positions the instrument face parallel to the
countertop. Then he positions the stone at a 90-degree angle to the face; next, he swings the top
end of the stone toward the instrument face. What will be the result of Marshall's sharpening
technique?
A. An angle between the face and the lateral surface that is greater than 90 degrees.
B. A very sharp cutting edge is created using this technique.
C. A pointed back on the working-end of the universal curet.
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-3
Sharpening Techniques
1. Martha is unable to remove calculus deposits from the maxillary right posterior sextant. The
medium-sized deposits are located 3 mm beneath the gingival margin and Martha is using her
universal curet. She is beginning to wonder if the cutting edges on the universal curet are dull.
How can she evaluate the sharpness of the instrument?
A. Hold the working-end under the dental light; if the cutting edge reflects light the edge is dull.
B. Run the cutting edge across a piece of gauze; if the cutting edge catches on the material of the
gauze the edge is sharp.
C. Adapt the cutting edge to a gloveless fingernail; if a fine layer of nail is shaved off the edge is
sharp.
D. Try removing the calculus deposits with an area-specific curet; if the deposits are removed
with the area-specific curet, then the universal curet must be dull.
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
2. Priscilla does not like to sharpen her instruments so she sends them once a month to a
company that specializes in sharpening instruments. Is this an effective solution for maintaining
sharp cutting edges?
A. Yes, because the professional sharpeners will maintain the original design characteristics of
the working-ends better than Priscilla could.
B. No, because the cutting edges should be sharpened as soon as they become dull and not just
once a month.
C. Yes, because sending the instruments away to be sharpened will eliminate the muscle strain
that Priscilla would experience during sharpening.
D. No, because once a month is too often to sharpening instruments; the instrument use life will
be shortened.
Answer: B
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
3. Which of the following is not an outcome of using sharp instruments?
A. A fewer number of instrumentation strokes needed to remove a deposit.
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-1
,B. Less strain placed on the clinician's fingers, hand, and arm.
C. Reduced likelihood of an instrument stick to the clinician's fingers.
D. Increased chance of trauma to the soft tissues from the sharp edge.
Answer: D
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
4. Which of the following terms is defined as “the pointed junction of the instrument face and
lateral surface”?
A. Self-angulated edge
B. Dull cutting edge
C. Sharp cutting edge
D. Wire cutting edge
Answer: C
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
5. Which of the following should not be used when retrieving the broken tip of a working-end
from the mouth?
A. Suction
B. A curet
C. Visual inspection
D. Gauze
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-2
, 6. For a sickle scaler or universal curet, the internal angle formed by the junction of the
instrument face and the lateral surface is between 70 and 80 degrees. For an area-specific curet,
the internal angle formed by the junction of the instrument face and the lateral surface also is
between 70 and 80 degrees.
A. Both statements are true.
B. Both statements are false.
C. The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
D. The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
Answer: A
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
7. Rashida is sharpening her universal curet by stabilizing her hand on the countertop. She
establishes the stone angulation of 75 degrees and makes several strokes on the heel-third of the
working-end. She evaluates the sharpness of the heel-third of the working-end by adapting the
face of the instrument to a sharpening test stick. However, the working-end does not shave any
plastic from the stick. What is the problem?
A. The heel-third of the cutting edge is not sharp since it is rarely adapted to the tooth.
B. It is incorrect to adapt the instrument face to the test stick.
C. She must use very firm pressure against the test stick when evaluating sharpness.
D. A stone angulation of 75 degrees is incorrect.
Answer: B
Subject: Module 23: Concepts for Instrument Sharpening; Module 24: Instrument Sharpening
Techniques
8. Marshall is sharpening a universal curet. He positions the instrument face parallel to the
countertop. Then he positions the stone at a 90-degree angle to the face; next, he swings the top
end of the stone toward the instrument face. What will be the result of Marshall's sharpening
technique?
A. An angle between the face and the lateral surface that is greater than 90 degrees.
B. A very sharp cutting edge is created using this technique.
C. A pointed back on the working-end of the universal curet.
Copyright © 2016 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 23,24-3
