No More Guessing! Gleason Guide Makes Sharp Edges a Reality

Sharp dental instruments are essential for effective assessment and periodontal instrumentation, allowing clinicians to detect details when establishing a treatment plan, and to remove biofilm and retentive factors such as calculus and stain efficiently and with minimal effort. Properly sharpened instruments reduce the number of scaling strokes needed, which leads to smoother tooth surfaces that are less conducive to biofilm reattachment.

The Need for Sharpness

Clinical studies in periodontology have repeatedly demonstrated the critical role of sharp instruments in improving the results of periodontal therapy. Specifically, research shows that sharp curettes and scalers facilitate more complete biofilm removal, reduce operator fatigue, minimize patient discomfort, and contribute to improved healing outcomes following non-surgical periodontal therapies.

By contrast, dull instruments compromise treatment by decreasing cutting efficiency, increasing the risk of residual biofilm, and thereby elevate the potential for periodontal inflammation. Several studies ^4,5 underscore that maintaining instrument sharpness is a key factor in successful periodontal care and clinician well-being.

The Problem: Sharpening Is Not Easy

Although dental hygiene programs teach the principles of sharpening, the practical application is another matter entirely. Many hygienists report uncertainty about maintaining the correct angulation when using sharpening stones—especially when deciding whether to move the stone or the instrument. According to the literature,1 the ideal sharpening angle ranges from 70° to 80° for sickles and universals, and 60° to 70° for Gracey curettes. These subtle distinctions can be difficult to replicate freehand. Human dexterity simply does not lend itself to consistently holding and moving instruments or a stone at precise, static angles.²

The consequences of improper sharpening are significant. A distorted cutting edge not only reduces the efficiency and efficacy of deposit removal but can compromise patient comfort and tissue integrity. When instruments become rounded or incorrectly reshaped, such as when a curette is inadvertently sharpened into a pointed sickle scaler, they lose their clinical effectiveness and can become harmful to both clinician ergonomics and the patient’s periodontal health.²

A 2016 study by Lory Laughter, Program Chair at the University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, evaluated whether experienced dental hygienists could accurately maintain the factory blade angle (~70°) when sharpening an area-specific Gracey 11/12 stainless-steel curette. Despite all participants having 5 to 35 years of clinical experience and rating themselves as “good” or “very good” at sharpening, results revealed a significant gap between perceived and actual proficiency. Only 2 out of 21 sharpened instruments achieved acceptable angulation on the 11 ends, and none passed the angulation competency on the 12 ends. Even educators who taught sharpening techniques failed to meet the standard. The study’s findings highlight the challenges clinicians face in freehand sharpening. Using tools like ceramic or Arkansas stones, guides, and machines, none of the participants in Ms. Laughter’s study consistently maintained the ideal 65° to 75° blade angle (70° with an added tolerance for the study). These results suggest that even one sharpening session can lead to compromised blade geometry, and repeated sharpening without proper guidance may cause further damage.

While the small sample size of the study limits broader generalization, it provides compelling support for guided sharpening systems like the Gleason Guide. Laughter concluded that the inability to preserve factory angles underscores the need for tools that standardize technique and improve consistency. Devices such as the Gleason Guide offer a repeatable, ergonomic method that helps clinicians maintain instrument design, reduce error, and optimize clinical performance.

The Solution: Gleason Guide from PDT

The Gleason Guide is a sharpening system designed to eliminate guesswork and restore clinician confidence. Made from high-quality stainless-steel, the guide provides built-in bevels for aligning a variety of instruments, including area-specific Gracey or Universal curettes, sickle scalers, O’Hehirs, chisels, and hoes. The “Stop, Rest, and Glide” method developed by Roger Gleason simplifies sharpening by positioning the terminal shank of the instrument against a fixed guide. The guide ensures the blade maintains its original shape and appropriate angulation as it moves across the stone.⁶

The guide can be paired with PDT’s Diamond Head Ceramic Stone for instruments that simply need routine sharpening, or PDT’s Transformation Sharpening Stone for instances where the blade has gone a bit beyond regular maintenance, and the cutting edge needs to be completely recreated. The Gleason Guide allows the clinician to execute a pendulum-style motion that minimizes over-sharpening and preserves the lateral surface of every blade. A notable addition to the kit is the PingRing, a wearable high-performance thermoplastic sharpness tester that provides immediate tactile feedback without the risk of misplacing a traditional acrylic test stick.

Why It Works: Precision, Consistency, and Ergonomics

Unlike freehand sharpening, which can introduce microscopic striations or facets into the hand instrument cutting edge, guided sharpening systems such as the Gleason Guide ensure a smoother, more consistent edge. These imperfections, when transferred to tooth surfaces, can increase the risk of surface trauma and discomfort for the patient.¹

Using a guide-based sharpening system reduces ergonomic strain on the clinician. Sharpening instruments by hand often involves awkward wrist positions and significant fine motor control. Over time, this can contribute to cumulative chronic disorders in the hands and wrists, which are already common concerns in dental hygiene due to static repetitive motions made in other areas of the profession. By stabilizing the angulation of the instrument and requiring minimal pressure, the Gleason Guide supports more ergonomic motion and reduces clinician fatigue.

Sharpening—Without the Anxiety

Many clinicians find themselves caught in a cycle of dull instruments, increased effort, and eventual burnout. The stress of finding the time to sharpen during a busy clinical day—combined with limited confidence in sharpening abilities—often drives clinicians to outsource sharpening or leads dental practices to use retipped or reprocessed instruments, an unpredictable and less safe option that results in inconsistent performance and diminished edge retention.

According to one clinician, as reported in the textbook Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist, expectations placed on hygienists to freehand sharpen with precision are “darn near impossible” and often yield suboptimal results.¹

In contrast, the Gleason Guide offers an accessible chairside solution that demystifies sharpening. It requires no electrical components, takes up minimal operatory space, and is compatible with a wide range of instrument types and brands. Additionally, PDT provides care and reprocessing guides to ensure hygienists follow best practices in infection control and instrument longevity.⁶

Empowering Clinicians Through Innovation

Effective periodontal instrumentation depends on maintaining sharp cutting edges, and the Gleason Guide from PDT makes that goal realistic for clinicians of all skill levels. By transforming a less-than-enjoyable task into a streamlined, efficient process, the Gleason Guide not only enhances clinical outcomes but also protects the physical well-being of the dental professional. With proper use, this sharpening system can extend instrument life, reduce the need for costly replacements, and most importantly, allow clinicians to deliver care with precision and confidence.

References:

_{1. Boyd LD, Mallonee LF. Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 14th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2023.}

_{2. Gehrig JS. Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist. 5th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2020.}

_{3. Laughter L. Periodontal Instrumentation Sharpening Skills of the Dental Hygienist. Private research study; 2016.}

_{4. Lowe A. The cutting edge of dental instruments. BDJ Team. 2015;2:Article 27. https://www.nature.com/articles/bdjteam201527}

_{5. Niemiec BA. Keep your skills sharp. Trends Magazine. Published February 2024. Accessed July 15, 2025.}

_{https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/february-2024/keep-your-skills-sharp/}

_{6. Paradise Dental Technologies (PDT). Gleason Guide™ Instrument Sharpening System: User and Reprocessing Guide. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.pdtdental.com}