Curettage
Pronunciation: kyoo-RET-ij
The scraping or debridement of the soft tissue lining of a periodontal pocket or other pathological cavity using a curette instrument.
Full Definition
In dental practice, curettage refers to the mechanical removal of diseased or necrotic tissue from within a periodontal pocket (soft-tissue curettage) or, in endodontics, from a periapical lesion (apical curettage). The term should not be confused with 'scaling', which targets calculus deposits on the tooth root surface, or 'debridement', which is a broader term for tissue or deposit removal. In operative notes and referral letters, editors must verify that 'curettage' is correctly distinguished from 'subgingival scaling' or 'root surface debridement', as these are distinct chargeable procedures. British spelling 'curettage' is standard; the American variant 'curetage' (single 't') is non-standard in UK documents.
Usage
Usage note: Double 't' in British spelling: 'curettage', not 'curetage'. Distinguish from 'root surface debridement' and 'scaling' in records, as they are separate procedures with separate codes.
In Context
- "Subgingival curettage was performed at the mesial aspect of LR6 following failure of non-surgical periodontal therapy." — Specialist periodontal referral letter
- "Apical curettage was completed following apicoectomy of UL2." — Surgical operation note