Frequently Asked Questions
How often should dental instruments be sharpened?
Most hygiene instruments need sharpening every 2–4 weeks depending on patient load and calculus levels (Our company strongly suggests at least every 3 months for professional sharpening). Regular sharpening maintains efficiency, reduces hand fatigue, and extends instrument life.
How long does mail‑in sharpening take?
Once your instruments arrive, turnaround time is typically 24–48 business hours (not including shipping). We ship them back immediately after sharpening so your downtime is minimal.
How much does shipping usually cost?
On average, Shipping costs around $13 each way. It could cost more or less depending on the amount of instruments sent.
Do you provide shipping labels?
For the initial shipment, you may use the carrier of your choice when shipping to our company. We will return your instruments via UPS and include the shipping charge on your invoice for your convenience. Should you require a prepaid UPS label for future shipments, simply indicate this on the office form and a label will be provided with your current order.
Who do you use to ship instruments?
Your instruments are carefully packaged and shipped via UPS, providing reliable tracking and extra insurance for peace of mind.
Do you offer on‑site sharpening for dental practices?
Yes. We provide on‑site sharpening for practices in select regions. You can schedule directly through our website under Schedule On‑Site Booking.
What instruments do you sharpen?
We sharpen:
All dental hygiene instruments, including, explorers, scalers, universal curettes, gracey curettes, sickles, etc.
All dental instruments that can be sharpened, including, scoops, excavators, elevators, surgical scissors, etc.
If you have a specialty instrument, feel free to ask — we can usually accommodate it.
Do you sharpen for Veterinarian offices?
Absolutely — we sharpen all dental instruments, and that includes the ones used in veterinary offices.
Do you sharpen retipped instruments?
We do sharpen retipped instruments; however, we cannot assume responsibility for any damage or breakage. Retipping alters the integrity of the instrument and voids the manufacturer’s warranty, which places liability on the hygienist and the doctor.
How do I prepare instruments for mail‑in sharpening?
Please clean and sterilize your instruments, place them in a sealed pouch (or cassette), and package them securely. Be sure to include a copy of the office form from our mail‑in page.
Do you sharpen Hu‑Friedy EverEdge or other “sharpen‑free” instruments?
Yes. Even “sharpen‑free” instruments eventually dull. We sharpen EverEdge, XP, and other enhanced steel instruments using proper angles to preserve their integrity. (Sharpen‑free instruments still dull over time; instead of sharpening, you end up replacing them more frequently.)
Do you offer bulk or practice-wide sharpening packages?
We keep our pricing consistently low for all clients, so we don’t use bulk packages. This way, every practice—large or small—gets the same great value.
Will sharpening change the shape of my instruments?
No. We sharpen using correct angles (60°, 70°, 90° depending on the instrument) to maintain original design and prevent over‑reduction.
What do you use to sharpen?
We tailor our sharpening method to each instrument. If an instrument is newer or maintained often, we gently touch up the edge with a hand stone to preserve the metal. When an instrument is very dull, we may use a rotary machine to bring the cutting edge back quickly. For harder metals like excavators or scoops, we use the RX Honing machine. Throughout every step, we keep your instruments perfectly aligned.
What if my instrument is too worn to sharpen?
If an instrument is beyond safe sharpening, we mark it separately, so your team knows not to use it. We never sharpen anything that could compromise patient care or clinician safety. Every instrument is labeled with our unique color‑coding system, making it easy to see which tools are sharp and ready for use and which ones should be replaced. We also provide a replacement list for your convenience—simply hand it to your sales representative to order new instruments as needed. As a Sharpen Your Edge client, you also receive discounted pricing through our partnership with Midwest Dental.
Do you charge for instruments that can not be sharpened?
We do not charge for instruments that cannot be safely sharpened. Instead, we mark them clearly, return them to you, and add them to your replacement list
Do you sharpen new instruments?
Yes. New instruments often benefit from a quick refinement to ensure optimal performance from day one.
How do I know when an instrument is dull?
Common signs include:
- Increased pressure needed
- Burnished calculus
- Reduced tactile sensitivity
- Hand or wrist fatigue
If you notice any of these, it’s time to sharpen.
Can hygienists send instruments individually?
Absolutely. We serve individual hygienists, small offices, and large DSOs. No minimums or maximums required for mail‑in sharpening.
Do you provide education or training on sharpening?
Yes. We offer Educational Development resources, including technique continuing educations courses, workshops, and hands‑on instruction for hygienists.