Dental Extraction Hand Instruments - Small Animal

Hand instruments required for tooth extraction include a selection of luxators and elevators, periosteal elevators, extraction forceps and a small surgical kit (scalpel blade, forceps, suturing instruments and suturing material).

Luxators and Elevators

Luxators and elevators are used to cut or break down the periodontal ligament, which holds the tooth in the alveolus. A selection of dental luxators and elevators of varying sizes is required so that an appropriate range for each size of root can be selected.

Luxators have a very thin working end and are used to cut the gingival attachment and periodontal ligament, but should not be used for leverage as the metal at the tip is too thin and weak for this action.

Elevators have thicker working ends. They are used to break down the periodontal ligament with a combination of apical pressure and leverage. The tip of an elevator should form a sharp edge which can be rounded or square. Modified ends such as the winged elevators have extended sides are also available. An extraction can be started with a luxator and completed with an elevator.

A very small (2 mm) luxator, or a root tip elevator, will assist removal of fractured root tips and should be available for all extractions – just in case.

Periosteal elevator:
A periosteal elevator is required for open (surgical) extractions to expose the alveolar bone by raising a mucoperiosteal flap. Different patterns are available but all have a spoon-like blade in line with the handle. The working side is flat with a concave curvature and the back side is rounded. The edge should be sharp and will need regular sharpening as it used against bone.

Extraction forceps:
Forceps are used to aid ligament breakdown by rotational force on the tooth. It is easy to snap the crown off by using excessive force or if the tooth is levered at all. The forceps should grip the tooth firmly with four point contact. The best pattern for veterinary use is 76 and 76N. The pattern is almost straight with a slight offset of the beaks. The 76N has the same profile but narrower beaks and are used to grip smaller teeth for example cat teeth.

Scalpel Blade

The use of a scalpel blade to free the gingival attachment to the tooth is recommended for both closed and open extraction technique. A size 15 or 11 blade, used in the handle, is ideal.

Suture Kit and Suture Material

A suture kit with small (ophthalmic) instruments should be available. An absorbable suture material should always be used in the oral cavity. Monocryl® (polyglecaprone, Ethicon) makes a good choice of material.