Kirkland Periodontal Knife 15K/16K

The Kirkland Periodontal Knife 15K/16K (Article# LS1-322) is a double-ended gingivectomy instrument carrying two kidney-shaped blades — the 15K on one end and the 16K on the other — each with sharp cutting edges running along all sides of the curved blade perimeter. Both blades mount on straight terminal shanks and sit in opposing orientations, covering both the left and right sides of each arch from a single instrument. The round ringed knurled handle is machined from passivated German surgical-grade stainless steel, measuring 165 mm (6.5 inches) overall, balancing consistently at mid-handle throughout active incision strokes.

The kidney-shaped blade geometry on the 15K/16K Kirkland Periodontal Knife produces a continuous curved cutting edge that follows the gingival contour during the initial bevel incision, maintaining consistent blade-to-tissue contact from the buccal line angle through the midpoint of each tooth. The opposing blade orientations on both ends allow the clinician to work from either the mesial or distal approach without repositioning the hand. The passivated stainless steel body resists surface corrosion and withstands autoclave sterilization at 134°C without blade distortion across repeated cycles.

Periodontists use the Kirkland Periodontal Knife 15K/16K during gingivectomy and gingivoplasty procedures to execute the primary external bevel incision through the keratinized gingiva at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface. The Kirkland 15K 16K Gingevectomy Knife is particularly effective in retromolar regions where the curved blade profile adapts to the tissue contour around distal molar sites without requiring handle repositioning between mesial and distal incision passes.

Leader Surgical understands what daily clinical practice demands — and builds each instrument to meet that standard without variation, box after box, use after use.

What is the specific use of a Kirkland 15K/16K knife?
It is primarily used for making initial bevel incisions during gingivectomy or gingivoplasty procedures. Its broad, kidney-shaped blade is designed to remove or recontour soft tissue, particularly in large, flat areas or the retro-molar region.