More implants in the population means more implants on recall – and each one has to be cleaned without damaging the surface. Stainless steel instruments are harder than titanium and can scratch the implant neck and abutment. That is why most clinics keep a separate set of curettes and scalers in titanium for implant patients. This guide explains why, which instruments exist, and how to organise them. The maintenance protocol itself is set by the clinician.
Why titanium?
Titanium instruments are made from a titanium alloy that is softer than surgical stainless steel and closer to the implant's own material. The aim is to remove biofilm and calculus from the smooth titanium surface of the implant neck and from the abutment without leaving scratches, which would roughen the surface and make it easier for bacteria to colonise. Plastic curettes have been the classic alternative, but they are often too soft for tenacious calculus and wear quickly. Titanium gives an edge sharp enough to work with while remaining gentle on the implant.
When are titanium instruments used?
- Recall and maintenance of implant patients: removing biofilm and calculus around the implant neck and abutment at regular check-ups.
- Mucositis and early peri-implant problems: mechanical cleaning as part of non-surgical management, according to the clinic's protocol.
- Cleaning abutments and implant-supported prosthetics at check-ups of implant-borne crowns and bridges.
Which titanium instruments exist?
The titanium instruments follow the same designs you know from periodontology, so technique and grip are unchanged – only the material differs.
| Instrument | Used for | Design guide |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Gracey 1/2 (titanium) | anterior teeth and implants in the anterior region | Gracey guide |
| Mini Gracey 5/6 (titanium) | anterior and premolar region | |
| Mini Gracey 7/8 (titanium) | buccal and lingual surfaces, posterior | |
| Mini Gracey 11/12 (titanium) | mesial surfaces, posterior | |
| Mini Gracey 13/14 (titanium) | distal surfaces, posterior | |
| Columbia 4L/4R (titanium) | universal curette, anterior/premolar | universal curette guide |
| Langer 1/2 (titanium) | universal curette, mandibular posterior | |
| Sickle scaler H6/H7 (titanium) | supragingival deposits, anterior | sickle scaler guide |
| Sickle scaler 204S and 204SD (titanium) | supragingival deposits, posterior |
The mini Gracey blade is the natural choice around implants: short enough to follow the implant neck and abutment contours. Browse the titanium instruments under mini Gracey, universal curettes, sickle scalers and implantology.
Organising the implant set
- Keep titanium instruments in their own sterilisation cassette, colour-coded blue to match the instruments.
- Do not use titanium instruments on natural teeth with heavy calculus – the softer alloy dulls faster than steel.
- Sharpen titanium instruments as you would steel, a little at a time; the edge is softer, so check it more often.
- Reprocess according to the IFU; ErgoDenta's guidance is at ergodenta.dk/care.
A minimal implant maintenance set
Mini Gracey 11/12 and 13/14, Columbia 4L/4R and sickle scaler H6/H7 – all in titanium – cover most recall visits. Add mini Gracey 1/2 or 5/6 for anterior implants and 204S for posterior supragingival deposits. Combine with a periodontal probe from the explorers and probes range and a front-surface or HD mirror.
Handles
Titanium instruments are available with the ErgoDenta handle. For the ergonomics of handle choice in general, see our handle guide and ergodenta.dk/ergohandles.
Titanium, plastic or steel – the trade-offs
| Material | Edge | Risk to implant surface | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | sharpest, holds edge longest | can scratch titanium | high |
| Titanium alloy | sharp enough for calculus; softer than steel | low – similar hardness to the implant | moderate; check the edge more often |
| Plastic/resin | too soft for tenacious calculus | lowest | low; wears quickly |
The clinician chooses the material for each situation; the purchasing consequence is that a clinic seeing implant patients regularly benefits from a dedicated titanium set, kept apart from the steel instruments.
Building the implant recall tray step by step
- Diagnostics: a periodontal probe (many clinics use a plastic or titanium probe around implants; the steel CP-12/CP-15 probes in the range are for natural teeth) and a front-surface or HD mirror.
- Supragingival: titanium sickle H6/H7 (anterior) and 204S/204SD (posterior).
- Around the implant neck and abutment: titanium mini Gracey 11/12 and 13/14, plus 1/2 or 5/6 for anterior implants.
- Universal: titanium Columbia 4L/4R or Langer 1/2.
- Cassette: a blue-coded sterilisation cassette reserved for the titanium set.
Sharpening titanium instruments
Titanium can be sharpened with the same stones and angles as steel, but the alloy is softer: use light pressure, fewer strokes, and test the edge more frequently. Because the edge wears faster, clinics with a high implant caseload often keep two titanium sets in rotation.
Where the instruments come from
InstruDent is ErgoDenta ApS' webshop. ErgoDenta's titanium instruments are part of its periodontal range; the company's overview of instrument families is at ergodenta.dk/about-us, and reprocessing guidance at ergodenta.dk/care.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ordinary steel curettes on implants?
Steel is harder than titanium and can scratch the implant surface; that is the reason dedicated titanium (or plastic) instruments exist. The clinic's protocol decides.
Are titanium instruments autoclavable?
Yes – follow the IFU and ergodenta.dk/care.
How do I tell the titanium set apart?
ErgoDenta's titanium instruments are blue-coded; keep them in a blue-coded cassette.
Mini Gracey, Columbia, Langer and sickle scalers in titanium for implant maintenance.
Shop implantology
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.