Dental Gracey Curette-15/16

The Dental Gracey Curette-15/16 (Article# LS1-425) is a double-ended, area-specific instrument introduced in 1993 as a modified alternative to the standard 11/12. Each working end carries a single offset lower cutting edge set at 70 degrees to the terminal shank face, with a blade measuring 0.9 mm wide and 4 mm long. The terminal shank borrows the accentuated 13/14 bend geometry while the blade face finishes like the 11/12, combining both designs into a single instrument. The perforated lime-green silicone grip handle measures 165 mm (6.5 inches) overall, with the balance point centered at mid-handle.

The accentuated shank angle on the Gracey 15/16 addresses a specific clinical problem — the standard 11/12 shank requires an extraoral fulcrum to reach mesial molar surfaces in the mandibular arch, while the 15/16 geometry allows an intraoral fulcrum position instead. This reduces wrist flexion during posterior mesial instrumentation and supports a more neutral forearm position throughout the scaling stroke sequence. The 1.1 mm terminal shank diameter provides adequate stiffness for moderate calculus deposits without flex during activation.

Dental hygienists and periodontists use the Dental Gracey Curette-15/16 during subgingival scaling, root planing, and periodontal maintenance on mesial surfaces of all posterior premolars and molars. The GRACEY CURETTE 15/16 activates with short vertical and oblique pull strokes from the distofacial line angle across the mesial surface, maintaining terminal shank parallelism throughout each stroke in pockets from 3 mm to beyond 5 mm depth.

Leader Surgical consistently delivers instruments where thoughtful design meets manufacturing discipline — producing tools that add real clinical value without overcomplicating what belongs in the tray.

What is the specific purpose of the Gracey 15/16?
It is designed specifically for the mesial surfaces of posterior teeth (molars and premolars). Its shank angulation is modeled after the Gracey 13/14, providing an “exaggerated” bend that improves access to difficult-to-reach molar regions.