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The Scandette
Tony Beale explains how American Eagle produced this subgingival scaling instrument
Figure 1: The American Eagle double-ended Scandette scaling instrument
Dr Ericsson and the Syntette
The name Scandette is probably not yet familiar to those practitioners and hygienists in the UK, however the name Syntette probably will be. For those who may not recognise the name Syntette, it is a hand instrument specifically developed for the removal of subgingival calculus on the mesial and distal surfaces of teeth, and was created by Dr Leif Ericsson of the Vastervik Hospital, Kalmar, in south east Sweden. Dr Ericsson spent five years as a dental practitioner in Germany, but returned to his native Sweden in the 1980s to follow a career in periodontology. He found that Scandinavian dentistry was, and is, very much orientated towards prevention, with periodontal treatments regarded as being an essential component in routine dental procedures. and distally, whilst easily moving from tooth to tooth, without changing instruments. It can also help simplify the action of both vertical and horizontal scaling. The ability to do this enables much easier, effective and quicker scaling with a greater chance of effective bacteria removal in the subgingival areas. posterior and anterior, and on all surfaces. With its long shank, its great for deep pockets. Most universal instruments do not reach deep pocket depths, so this one is a must-have addition to every set-up. The advantages of the new XP manufacturing process will soon become obvious to the practitioner and hygienist, as the XP Scandette will retain its shape, perform effectively and efficiently for longer, retaining its cutting edges, and will not require sharpening. The Scandette will also contribute to a more stress-free and comfortable way of working for all those involved in scaling procedures, and will show itself as being beneficial to many patients.

The Scandette
It will be seen that the Syntette satisfied the functional requirements for an effective subgingival scaler, and like all good hand instruments its effectiveness relies completely on its ability to retain its original instrument tip and blade shape, and to remain sharp at all times. It should also be recognised that sharpening and re-sharpening of fine instrument tips and blades will partially destroy their original shape and form. In understanding this, it was the aim of the American Eagle instrument company to produce an improved version of the Syntette, and this has resulted in the recent introduction of its Scandette instrument to the international dental market. The American Eagle Scandette incorporates all the design features of the original Syntette, as specified by Dr Ericsson, and has the additional advantage of benefitting from the very latest in manufacturing technology, and is now available from Optident Ltd. American Eagle has developed what is termed XP technology, a revolutionary treatment system that hardens stainless steel and enables instruments to be produced with exceptionally thin blades, with no need to ever sharpen the instrument. The instruments are titanium nitride, coated and heat-treated using a unique process that virtually guarantees the integrity and sharpness for the life of the instrument. Registered dental hygienist Renee Merchant-Turner, of Santa Rosa, California, gave this testimonial for the Scandette: The new American Eagle XP Scandette is the best new universal instrument I have tried in years. It is similar to a 11/12 Gracey, but is sharp on both sides of the blade. The addition of XP means it never needs sharpening! It can be used easily on every tooth, both

Scaling and the Syntette

Scaling is of course a much-practised procedure, with practitioners and hygienists making extensive use of conventional curettes. However, good as many of these instruments are, they do not always prove to be ideal, especially where subgingival bacteria requires removal. It was the need to find an ideal scaling instrument capable of removing all subgingival bacteria that prompted Dr Ericsson to develop what ultimately came to be recognised as the Syntette. The Syntette is an instrument that is essentially a combination of two popular Gracey curettes, these being numbers 11/12 and 13 /14. The name Syntette was applied to the instrument by Dr Ericsson, as it describes the synthesis of two curettes into one all-purpose instrument. The Syntette has machined faces at an angle of 20 degrees upwards, and this allows the user to hold the scaler parallel to the tooth whilst pushed under the gingivae. A slight rotation and movement upwards with a pull stroke action completes the required movement. The instrument has a rounded toe, with its two elliptical cutting edges allowing the user to undertake both concave and convex scaling procedures, mesially

Figure 2: Close-up of the Scandettes double-edged blade tip

American Eagle instruments are supplied by Optident Ltd, International Development Centre, Valley Drive, Ilkley, LS29 8AL. Call 01943 605050, email sales@optident.co.uk or visit www.optident.co.uk.