What is the face-to-terminal-shank angle for a sickle scaler?

What is the face-to-terminal-shank angle for a sickle scaler?

• A. 80°
• B. 60°
• C. 90°
• D. 70°

Answer: (C)

The face-to-terminal-shank angle describes how the blade’s face sits in relation to the end of the shank. For a sickle scaler, the blade is mounted so its face is perpendicular to the terminal shank, forming a 90-degree relationship. This right-angle setup gives a stable, predictable orientation that helps the cutting edges engage calculus effectively during a pull stroke while keeping the shank aligned with the tooth. Angles that are not 90 degrees would tilt the blade away from this stable geometry, which isn’t how a sickle scaler is designed.

The face-to-terminal-shank angle describes how the blade’s face sits in relation to the end of the shank. For a sickle scaler, the blade is mounted so its face is perpendicular to the terminal shank, forming a 90-degree relationship. This right-angle setup gives a stable, predictable orientation that helps the cutting edges engage calculus effectively during a pull stroke while keeping the shank aligned with the tooth. Angles that are not 90 degrees would tilt the blade away from this stable geometry, which isn’t how a sickle scaler is designed.