The Sharpen-Free Advantage

Sharpening instruments is a task most hygienists would rather avoid. It’s time-consuming and takes them away from patients—which can be costly to the practice. As a result, many hygienists prefer XP Sharpen-Free instruments, which never need to be sharpened and, if maintained properly, will last just as long as their stainless-steel counterparts. XP instruments are made using a patented process that blends 2 super-strong metals, changing the metallurgic makeup to create a razor-sharp edge that stays sharp throughout the instrument’s lifespan.

Michelle Singley, RDH, EdM, a clinical educator for Young Innovations, has used XP Sharpen-Free instruments for 5 years and said the thin tips simply do not lose their sharp edge. “The tip width is 10% thinner than the same instrument in stainless steel,” she said. “We also have XP Sharpen-Free Thin instruments that are 20% thinner, but because of the hardness of the material, there are no concerns about breakage.”

Because sharpening instruments is a task that requires practice and patience to achieve the proper technique, mistakes are common, Singley noted. Some practices send the instruments out for sharpening, but that also costs time and money. With XP Sharpen-Free, there’s no need to worry about that. 

Further, because of the instruments' sharpness, clinicians can shave off calculus using a modified scaling stroke that requires less pressure. This results in reduced wrist and hand fatigue as well as a more comfortable experience for patients.

The thin, sharp tips also can easily access interproximal areas and under tooth contacts, Singley said, allowing them to remove deposits more efficiently.

Another advantage of XP Sharpen-Free are Quik-Tips, which make customization possible. The instrument handles and tips can be purchased separately, allowing you to design your own instrument. “And when it’s time to replace the tips,” Singley said, “you can keep the quality, lightweight handle and just reorder the tips, saving you money.”

XP Sharpen-Free instruments are designed to save time and money while improving the clinician and patient experience. They’re easy to use, don’t need to be sharpened, are lightweight, offer improved ergonomics, and reduce the amount of pressure needed to remove calculus.