Which instrument description best fits the Gracey 13/14 curette?

• A. Universal curette
• B. Area-specific curette
• C. Occlusal file
• D. Periodontal scaler

Answer: (B)

Gracey curettes are designed as area-specific instruments, built to adapt to a particular tooth surface. The Gracey 13/14 is the tool crafted for distal surfaces of posterior teeth. Its blade orientation and curved contour let you access and scale or plane the distal root surfaces efficiently from either buccal or lingual aspects without excessive repositioning. That focused surface design is what makes it an area-specific curette. It isn’t a universal curette, which would be intended to cover multiple surfaces; it isn’t an occlusal file, which targets occlusal surfaces; and it isn’t a periodontal scaler, which is used in a different manner and surface region.