When it comes to dental surgery, dental elevators are an absolute necessity. Uses of dental elevators include extractions, separation of tooth or bone from membranes, loosening teeth, removing parts of a tooth and much more. When providing your practice with all the equipment it needs, you'll no doubt require several types of dental elevators.

To determine which dental extraction elevator instruments to purchase for your practice, consider not only each instrument's use, but the quality of the product and the reputation of the manufacturer, too. Surgical instruments are an investment. While it's smart to shop around for a good price, you don't want to purchase inferior equipment that will wear quickly. Therefore, keep in mind the following:

1. Buy only the dental extraction elevators your practice really requires.

2. Be prepared to pay a little more for quality surgical dental elevators that will last--and save you money in the long run.

3. Consider purchasing your most required dental extraction elevators first, then buy "extras" as needed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase periosteal surgical extraction elevators

When you need to separate a tooth or bone from fibrous membrane during surgery, you'll require a periosteal elevator. You can also use this type of dental elevator to obtain access to retained roots and any nearby bone. As well, you can use a periosteal elevator as a retractor.

I recommend: Davis Dental Supplies carries a good selection of surgical dental elevator instruments, including periosteal elevators. Salvin Dental Specialties also has an excellent selection of periosteal elevators to suit your practice's needs.

Buy root elevators for dental extraction

There are many types of root elevators, and you need at least one for a tooth extraction; often, you must use several. Root elevators serve three purposes: to remove tooth parts, to loosen teeth and to completely remove a tooth.

I recommend: Medical-Tools manufactures many types of surgical extraction elevator instruments, including several types of root elevators. IK Chughtai & Bros. also offers a nice selection of root elevators to suit many purposes.

Invest in other types of dental extraction elevator tools

There are several varieties of root elevators you might use in your dental practice. Most notably, there are malar elevators (used for repairing injuries to the malar bone) and elevators made of specialty materials.

I recommend: American Dental Accessories sells a variety of high quality surgical dental elevator instruments for your business needs. CKD Industries also has a fine selection of elevators for dentistry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sometimes the choices can seem overwhelming. If you're unsure which dental extraction elevator instrument is best for your practice, don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer's or distributor's customer service center. It's part of their job to help you find the best products for your needs.