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Scaling and root planing (SRP) tray

Also called: deep cleaning tray, perio tray, quad scaling

Setup for deep cleaning below the gumline, often with local anesthetic.

Scaling and root planing (a "deep cleaning") removes tartar and smooths roots inside gum pockets, often one or two quadrants (quarters of the mouth) at a time. The patient is often numbed first. Every office's tray list is a little different; this is a common example. Follow your office's tray card.

How to spot it

  1. Several Gracey curettes in number order and an ultrasonic insert next to the basic setup.

On the tray, in order

  1. 1. Mouth mirror
  2. 2. Explorer (ODU 11/12)
  3. 3. Cotton pliers
  4. 4. Periodontal probe (and Nabers probe)
  5. 5. Anesthetic setup (topical, syringe, cartridges, needle)
  6. 6. Ultrasonic insert or tip
  7. 7. Sickle scaler
  8. 8. Gracey curettes in order (e.g., 1/2 through 13/14)
  9. 9. Gauze, HVE tip, air-water syringe tip

Safety and care

  1. The ultrasonic makes aerosols: use HVE and full PPE.
  2. Sharpen or check instruments before the visit; dull curettes burnish (polish over) tartar instead of removing it.

Related

Sources: Gehrig JS, Shin DE. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation, 9th ed. Jones & Bartlett, 2023 (plus Newman & Carranza's Clinical Periodontology), Alharbi H. Periodontal Hand Instruments (lecture handout). King Saud University, 2016-2017, CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)