The Gracey curette is the workhorse of periodontal instrumentation – and the most misunderstood instrument on the tray. The numbering looks arbitrary, the blade comes in three lengths, and every manufacturer adds its own handle and edge technology. This guide puts it all in one place: what the numbers mean, when to choose mini or rigid, how Gracey compares with universal curettes, which versions exist for implant patients, and how to keep the edge sharp. It is written for dentists, hygienists and clinic staff who buy and maintain instruments; treatment decisions remain with the clinician.
What is a Gracey curette?
A Gracey curette is an area-specific curette. Two features distinguish it from a universal curette: the blade is offset at roughly 70° to the lower shank so that only one cutting edge is used, and the shank is bent in a pattern designed for particular tooth surfaces. The result is a blade that adapts closely to the root surface in subgingival scaling and root planing – at the cost of needing several numbers to cover the whole dentition.
The face of the blade is tilted, the toe is rounded (which is what makes it a curette rather than a scaler) and the back is rounded to reduce tissue trauma. Because only one edge cuts, each double-ended instrument carries two mirror-image blades: one for each side of the arch.
What the Gracey numbers mean
The numbers describe the shank design and therefore the surfaces the instrument was designed for. The classic allocation is:
| Number | Classic area of use |
|---|---|
| 1/2 and 3/4 | Anterior teeth |
| 5/6 | Anterior teeth and premolars |
| 7/8 and 9/10 | Posterior teeth – buccal and lingual surfaces |
| 11/12 | Posterior teeth – mesial surfaces |
| 13/14 | Posterior teeth – distal surfaces |
| 15/16 | Posterior mesial – a more angled shank than 11/12 for easier access |
| 17/18 | Posterior distal – a more angled shank than 13/14 |
In practice most clinics do not stock every number. A common core set is 5/6 for the anterior region, 11/12 for mesial and 13/14 for distal surfaces of the posterior teeth, supplemented with a universal curette for general work. InstruDent stocks standard Gracey curettes in every number from 1/2 to 17/18, and single-ended ErgoTip tips (for example Gracey 11, 12, 13 and 14) for clinics that prefer replaceable tips.
Standard, mini or rigid?
The same number comes in three blade/shank variants, and choosing between them is the second most common question we get.
Standard
The full-length blade. The right choice for most pockets and the version to start with. See standard Gracey.
Mini
The blade is shortened – typically to about half the standard length – and the terminal shank is longer, with the same angulation. The short blade can be inserted into narrow, deep pockets and furcations without stretching the tissue, and it follows root concavities better. Mini Gracey curettes are available as 1/2, 5/6, 7/8, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16 and 17/18. See mini Gracey. They complement, rather than replace, the standard blade: a shorter blade covers less surface per stroke.
Rigid
A standard-length blade on a stiffer shank, for heavy, tenacious calculus where a flexible shank would deflect. Available as 11/12 and 13/14. See rigid Gracey.
Gracey or universal curette?
A universal curette (Columbia, Langer, Barnhart, McCall) has two cutting edges and a blade set at 90° to the shank, so one instrument can be used on every surface. That makes it the efficient choice when you want few instruments on the tray – for example recall patients with moderate calculus. The Gracey is chosen when you work subgingivally in deep pockets, where the area-specific angulation gives better adaptation to the root. Most clinics combine the two: one universal curette for broad work and two to four Gracey numbers for deep pockets. Our separate guide on universal vs Gracey curettes goes into the individual universal designs; ErgoDenta's English article Universal curette vs Gracey – when to use which covers the same ground from the manufacturer's side.
Scaler or curette?
A sickle scaler has a pointed, triangular blade for supragingival calculus; a curette has a rounded toe for subgingival work. Sickle scalers (H6/H7, 204S, 204SD, M23) and curettes belong on the same tray but do different jobs. See sickle scalers.
Titanium Gracey curettes for implant patients
Stainless steel is harder than titanium and can scratch an implant neck or abutment. For implant maintenance InstruDent stocks mini Gracey 1/2, 5/6, 7/8, 11/12 and 13/14 in titanium (blue-coded), together with titanium Columbia 4L/4R, Langer 1/2 and sickle scalers H6/H7, 204S and 204SD. Keep them in a separate, colour-coded cassette so they are never used on natural teeth with heavy calculus. Read more in our guide to titanium instruments for implant maintenance.
Series and handles
- ErgoDenta – the standard stainless steel handle.
- ErgoLite – ultra-light, colour-coded handles (about 14 g) that reduce load on the hand. See ErgoLite and ergodenta.dk/ergolite.
- ErgoRazor® – curettes with the ErgoRazor edge, developed to hold sharpness longer. See ErgoRazor and ergodenta.dk/ergorazor.
- ErgoTip – replaceable tips on one reusable handle; when the edge is worn you replace the tip only. See ErgoTip and ergodenta.dk/ergotip.
Most curettes can be ordered with a choice of handle – ErgoX (11.5 mm), ErgoX Plus (13.7 mm), ErgoLite or ErgoSteel – selected on the product page. The handle overview at ergodenta.dk/ergohandles lists the diameters; our guide on choosing a dental instrument handle explains how to pick.
Sharpness and maintenance
A dull Gracey slides over calculus instead of removing it – and tempts the operator to use more force. Test the edge regularly (for example on a test stick), sharpen a little at a time at the correct angle, and retire the instrument – or replace the ErgoTip tip – when the blade has been sharpened so thin that it has become narrow. Reprocessing follows the manufacturer's instructions for use: ErgoDenta's guidance is steam sterilisation in a class B autoclave at 134 °C for at least 4 minutes, with a maximum of 138 °C (see ergodenta.dk/care). Always follow the IFU supplied with the specific product.
A sensible starter set
- Gracey 5/6 (anterior/premolars), 11/12 (mesial) and 13/14 (distal) – standard blade.
- Mini Gracey 11/12 and 13/14 for deep posterior pockets.
- One universal curette (Columbia 13/14 or Langer 1/2).
- One sickle scaler (H6/H7 or 204S) for supragingival calculus.
- A periodontal probe – see explorers and probes.
Clinics that prefer a complete set can choose a perio kit delivered in a sterilisation cassette.
Frequently asked questions
Which Gracey do I use on the mesial surfaces of molars?
11/12, or 15/16 if you want a more angled shank for better access.
What is the difference between 13/14 and 17/18?
Both are for distal surfaces of posterior teeth; 17/18 has a more angled shank that some operators prefer for difficult access.
When do I choose a mini Gracey?
Narrow, deep pockets and furcations, where a short blade can be inserted without traumatising the tissue.
Can Gracey curettes be sharpened?
Yes – sharpen only the cutting edge, a little at a time. ErgoTip tips are replaced instead of sharpened.
Are Gracey curettes autoclavable?
Yes. Follow the reprocessing instructions at ergodenta.dk/care and the product IFU.
Standard, mini and rigid – ErgoDenta, ErgoLite, ErgoRazor® and ErgoTip. Free worldwide shipping on orders over 100 USD.
Shop Gracey curettes
Sources and notes
Product range and item numbers: InstruDent/ErgoDenta product records, September 2026. Handle dimensions: ergodenta.dk/ergohandles. Reprocessing: ErgoDenta Care / instructions for use (ergodenta.dk/care). Instrument design and classic areas of use follow standard periodontology and operative dentistry textbooks.
Professional note: instrument selection and treatment technique are clinical decisions. This guide describes instrument design and intended use, not treatment protocols.