What are gracey curettes?

Gracey curettes are area-specific: the blade is offset at roughly 70° to the shank so that only one cutting edge is used, and each numbered pair is angled for a particular region of the mouth. That offset is what allows the blade to be adapted to a root surface subgingivally without the opposite edge damaging the pocket wall — the difference between a Gracey and a universal curette, which is set at 90° and cuts on both edges.

How the gracey curettes range is organised

#1/2 and #3/4:

Anterior teeth — all surfaces.

#5/6:

Anterior and premolar.

#7/8 and #9/10:

Posterior buccal and lingual surfaces.

#11/12:

Posterior mesial surfaces.

#13/14:

Posterior distal surfaces.

#15/16 and #17/18:

Posterior mesial and distal respectively — modified shanks for improved posterior access.

Choosing the right gracey curette

A full set covers the mouth, but most practices start with #1/2, #11/12 and #13/14, which between them reach anteriors, posterior mesials and posterior distals. Add #7/8 for posterior buccal and lingual. The #15/16 and #17/18 pairs are redesigns of #11/12 and #13/14 with shank modifications for easier posterior access — useful, but not a separate region. Handle weight is a real ergonomic factor on long hygiene lists: hollow handles are lighter and reduce grip fatigue.