A Curette is a surgical instrument used for scraping. The Curette is a small hand tool similar in shape to a stylus, at the tip of the curette there is a small scoop, hook. or gouge. Also, know as surgical spoons for scraping or debriding tissue. A Curette or excavator can be used to remove Pathologic tissue. A Dental curette is used to scrape a carious cavity prior to a filling.