Hu-Friedy, a manufacturer of dental instruments and products, has announced the addition of Gracey curette designs to its line of EverEdge 2.0 hand instruments.
Hu-Friedy developed EverEdge 2.0 using a proprietary heat treatment process and enhanced finishing techniques. The optimized steel of EverEdge 2.0 has superior edge retention and wear characteristics that will last the entire life of the instrument. Since it's not a superficial coating, these characteristics cannot be removed through use or sharpening. EverEdge 2.0 scalers can be resharpened at any time to extend their life and value.
Gracey curettes, a series of double-sided, area-specific instruments, are ideal for removing deposits from root surfaces. The designs were originally introduced in 1945 by Hu-Friedy in partnership with Dr. Clayton Gracey, who approached Hu-Friedy's founder, Hugo Friedman, to develop a line of instruments that would allow clinicians to treat even the deepest and least accessible periodontal pockets simply and effectively.
The combination of the time-honored Gracey curettes with the optimized steel of EverEdge 2.0, which was introduced earlier this year, blends classic design with modern technology.
"We could not be more pleased with the dental community's response to EverEdge 2.0 since its introduction in February," said Ron Saslow, CEO of Hu-Friedy. "Feedback from clinicians, educators, and students has been extremely positive, and we look forward to practitioners continuing to experience the benefits of the sharpest and longest lasting material, EverEdge 2.0, now in the iconic Gracey designs."
The unique Gracey curette blade design features one lower cutting edge, which allows adaptation to specific tooth surfaces. The Gracey curette blade is offset from the shank at 70 degrees to the side, and the shank design enables the blade to be used on a specific group of teeth. The Gracey curette is correctly adapted when the lower cutting edge is against the tooth, and the terminal shank is parallel to the tooth surface being scaled.
Understanding the critical importance of scientific evidence in supporting product performance, Hu-Friedy engaged an independent, third-party laboratory specializing in blade technology, CATRA, to evaluate EverEdge 2.0 and several competitive scalers. Two characteristics were tested: sharpness of the scalers when brand new and sharpness after repeated use.
According to the manufacturer, the test results show that Hu-Friedy EverEdge 2.0 is 72% sharper out of the box than the next closest competitor. After repeated use (500 strokes), EverEdge 2.0 remains 50% sharper than the next closest competitor.
A sharper scaler is better because it is more:
· Clinically effective since calculus is easily removed, not burnished;
· Comfortable for clinicians, causing less hand and wrist fatigue;
· Comfortable for patients due to less pressure needed for calculus removal; and
· Efficient because less time is needed to scale.
EverEdge 2.0 instruments are available in the popular original EverEdge diamond-knurled, large-diameter handle, as well as the Resin 8 Colors handle, a lightweight resin handle featuring a color-coded system so clinicians can easily identify scalers and curettes that correspond to areas of the mouth. The new purple grips allow for easy identification of the EverEdge 2.0 scalers in each setup.
For more information about Hu-Friedy's EverEdge 2.0 instruments, call (800) Hu-Friedy or visit hu-friedy.com/EE2.
MORE NEWS FROM HU-FRIEDY:
Hu-Friedy introduces Air-Flow Handy 3.0 Premium portable air polishing system
Hu-Friedy introduces EverEdge 2.0 scalers (VIDEO)
Source: Hu-Friedy press release, 30 June 2016
