Periodontal Chisels

Which Periodontal Chisel Do You Need?

Pick the pattern first (Fedi, Ochsenbein, Rhodes or back action), then the working-tip width; every product in the collection is linked once below by its Zepf number.

Fedi periodontal chisels

Ochsenbein periodontal chisels

Rhodes back action chisel

Back action chisels and bone scrapers

Related items

What Are Periodontal Chisels Used For?

Periodontal chisels are primarily used to remove supragingival and subgingival calculus, detach periodontal ligament fibers, and contour bone during resective osseous surgery. Their sharp, beveled working ends allow clinicians to apply controlled lateral or push strokes without compromising the integrity of surrounding soft tissue. They are commonly employed alongside scalers, curettes, and elevators as part of a comprehensive instrument setup.

Design and Construction

High-quality periodontal chisels are typically crafted from surgical-grade stainless steel or high-carbon steel, ensuring corrosion resistance, edge retention, and the ability to withstand repeated sterilization cycles. Ergonomic handles—whether round, hexagonal, or serrated—reduce operator fatigue during extended procedures and improve instrument control. Blade angles and widths vary by design, allowing clinicians to select the most appropriate instrument for anterior, posterior, or interproximal access.

Selecting the Right Instrument

When choosing periodontal chisels for your practice, consider blade width, angulation, and handle diameter. Wider blades suit broad bony surfaces, while narrower variants are better suited for interproximal areas. Single-ended and double-ended configurations are available, offering versatility within a streamlined instrument cassette.

Collections in this family

• Back Action Chisel — Buser back-action chisels and bone scrapers for harvesting bone chips
• Rhodes Back Action Chisel — Rhodes #36/37 straight chisel for interproximal bone contouring
• Fedi Periodontal Chisel — Double-ended Fedi chisels in 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mm tips
• Ochsenbein Chisel — Ochsenbein chisels for osseous recontouring and interdental bone removal

Clinical Use

The Fedi and Ochsenbein chisels in this collection are used for recontouring and removing interdental and marginal bone during periodontal osseous surgery; the Rhodes #36/37 and the back action chisels work with a pull stroke for bone removal and contouring, and the Buser back action chisels double as curette bone scrapers for harvesting bone chips.

Care and Reconditioning

Clean and sterilize periodontal chisels between patients following the manufacturer instructions and the symbols on each package, and check the cutting edge before every use; dull edges can be resharpened with Zepf sharpening stones or sent to our sharpening and reconditioning service. Our Dental Instrument Reprocessing & Sterilization Guide covers the general workflow.

Compare With

Related Helmut Zepf collections: Periodontal Files, Modified Vienna Bone Chisel, Bone Chisels, Gingivectomy Knives, and Scaling & Root Planing Instruments.

Technical references: Hygiene Instrument Comparison Chart · Dental Hygiene Instrument Glossary

FAQ

How should periodontal chisels be maintained? Instruments should be inspected for sharpness before each use, sharpened with an appropriate sharpening stone when needed, and sterilized according to manufacturer and infection control guidelines.

Are periodontal chisels suitable for both scaling and osseous surgery? Yes. While their primary use is in osseous surgery and heavy calculus removal, periodontal chisels are versatile enough to support multiple stages of periodontal treatment.

Further reading: 2026 Guide to Periodontal Chisels: Choosing the Right Instrument for Bone Remode