Notes on Gingival Marginal Trimmers

Notes on Gingival Marginal Trimmers

The gingival margin trimmers (GMTs) are modified hatchets that have working ends with opposite curvatures and bevels.

It is a four numbered instrument with the cutting edge at right angle to the blade and the long axis of the handle. The blade has a curvature.

Hand Instruments in Conservative Dentistry and Some Considerations for Viva Voce 81

Uses of Gingival Marginal Trimmers

(i) It is primarily used with lateral cutting motion as the cutting edge is in a plane other than that of shaft.

(ii) GMTs are used to trim, to smoothen and to shape the gingival floor of a cavity preparation.

(iii) GMTs are available in double-ended styles and are used in pairs, such as the #26 and #27. This is because the working ends of the even-numbered instruments are designed for use on the distal surfaces, and the odd numbered are used on the mesial surfaces.

(iv) It is also used for beveling and rounding of the axiopulpal line angle.