As a dentist, you’re constantly looking for ways to improve your technique and enhance the experience your patients have in your chair. And a lot of this comes down to the instruments you use in your office. Chances are, we don’t have to tell you what an impact having the best dental tools can have.
But - two tools that are commonly compared and contrasted are the dental elevator vs periotome. If you’re trying to choose between these two instruments, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll highlight the pros and cons of each, pointing out key differences you need to be aware of. Then, we’ll give you our recommendation as to which instrument is best for you.
If you just came here to find out which instrument is superior, we’ll save you some time: stick with the dental elevator tool. It’s just as atraumatic as periotomes but allows you to work substantially faster. We’ll talk more about this benefit and a whole lot more below.
Dental Elevator vs Periotome: What are the Differences?
Before we compare and contrast these two instruments against each other, we want to highlight how they’re similar.
Both of these instruments are used by dentists around the world to help loosen teeth from their sockets prior to extraction. By getting movement in the tooth before introducing forceps, you can eliminate the risk of root tips breaking. This saves your patient a lot of pain and discomfort while sitting in your chair - something that every dentist strives for.
However, that is where the similarities end. Below, we’ll fully break down these instruments so you can have a better understanding of each going into our comparison.
What is a Dental Elevator?
A dental elevator is a handheld instrument that has a sharp, thin, and curved tip that is designed to move teeth and in the case of the thinner blade elevators, it can fit between the tooth and the surrounding bone. It’s used by both dentists and oral surgeons to apply controlled force to the tooth, which helps to break the periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone.
While the new generation elevators are relatively new to the dentistry scene, they have quickly made waves. And once you see them in action yourself, you’ll see why. Before we get to that, let’s introduce the other side of this conversation.
What is a Periotome?
A periotome is another specialized dental instrument that you can use to remove a tooth by separating it from the periodontal ligament that holds it in place. It is a thin, flexible, and sharp instrument that is specifically designed to work around the circumference of the tooth and beneath the gum line.
The periotome has a blade that is inserted into the space between the tooth and the gum tissue, and then gently rotated to help break the ligament fibers. This process helps to loosen the tooth from the bone and make it easier to extract. The periotome is particularly useful for extracting teeth with long or curved roots or teeth that have been damaged or broken off at the gum line.
Now, the very nature of these instruments is why they’re problematic. The thin blade is very prone to breaking. And, because they’re so thin, they don’t work well for denser, harder alveolar bone structures. Of course, the main issue is that they simply don’t work well for their intended use - getting lateral tooth movement prior to extraction.
So with all that said, let’s now compare and contrast the dental elevator vs periotome so you can see which is superior, and why.
Dental Elevator vs Periotome: Which is Best For Your Practice?
We’ve already mentioned that upgrading your dental instruments to replace periotomes with dental elevators is one of the best decisions you can make for your practice. In this section, we’re going to highlight the three key ways in which elevator instruments reign supreme - starting with ease of use.
Ease of Use
One of the most important factors when selecting an instrument to add to your arsenal is how easy it is to use. Instruments that allow you to work with less stress - while working faster - are an invaluable asset to your practice. And there’s no contest here - dental elevators are far superior in terms of actually using the instrument.
When using the dental elevators we’ve developed at ArtCraft Dental, you just need a small amount of penetration into the PDL space to achieve maximal lateral tooth movement. By the time you bring your dental forceps into the equation, much of the work is done.
With a double-pronged and diamond grip action, you simply create a stable two-point contact between the crest of bone and the neck of the tooth. Then, with a simple twist, one point locks onto the bone, while the other point pushes the tooth laterally, causing buccolingual socket expansion and superior pre-forceps loosening.
Periotomes, on the other hand, don’t actually move the tooth. This means you end up wasting time fiddling around in your patient’s mouth only to cause just as much trauma as you would without using the periotome. In the cases that they do work, they take far too long to result in the movement you need. This leads to more time spent on each patient and can lead to a backed-up schedule.
Just wait till you use the dental elevator for the first time - you’ll wish you’d found it sooner. It saves you time and enhances your confidence going into any extraction.
Trauma
While getting your patients’ extractions handled quickly and easily is an obvious benefit of replacing periotomes in your office with dental elevators, it doesn’t matter if the patient has a bad experience. Whatever solution you use needs to be one that prioritizes their comfort and safety.
And again - dental elevators are the clear choice. Specifically, the style we’ve developed at ArtCraft Dental. They’re the most atraumatic elevators devised to date, virtually eliminating the risk of damaged root tips during extraction. And, you get the most preserved ridge preservation with this tool compared to not just periotomes - but luxators, proximators, and any other solution out there.
Durability
While all dental instruments need to be replaced eventually, it’s important that you get a good ROI from any tools you invest in. Cheap dental instruments like periotomes cost less at first glance, but you end up paying way more in the long run over the course of your career. That’s because the fragile, thin design of this instrument breaks easily.
Our Xpanders elevator instrument, on the other hand, is built to stand the test of time - providing reliable years for years and years to come when used properly. This can be attributed to the fact that we use the highest-quality 420 surgical French and German stainless steel across all our instruments.
The Verdict
In the end, it’s easy to see why more and more dental professionals are replacing the outdated peristome in favor of the revolutionary dental elevator. It works better & faster while causing less trauma to your patient and saving you money in the long run. The confidence you’ll feel holding dental elevators is worth the price alone.
And, you don’t just have to take our word for it. Here are some real testimonials from trusted professionals who made the switch:
“I am confident that all dentists who do extractions will find the Xpander a valuable addition to their practices. Doctors who place implants into extraction sites will immediately see how much of the socket is preserved while the tooth is easily extracted to make immediate implant placement likely in all areas of the mouth.” - Dr. Craig Cooper
“This instrument just makes my extractions faster and more predictable.” - Dr. Carrie S.
“I am really impressed with how powerful this little instrument is. These Xpanders really get the teeth moving.” - Dr. Dan Carrier
See Firsthand What Makes the Dental Elevator Superior to Periotomes!
With something like this, seeing the difference firsthand is better than reading about it. So - we encourage you to head over to ArtCraft Dental and get your hands on the best dental elevators ever devised!
These were made by a dentist, for dentists to address the major issues with other tools like periotomes. Even when comparing the dental elevator vs luxator, the outcome is the same. And once you see how effective this powerful instrument is, you’ll wish you’d found it sooner! With a 60-day free trial period, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
And, we can help you upgrade all your dental instruments while you’re at it. In our catalog, you’ll gain access to a full suite of revolutionary tools that enhance your practice in ways you never even imagined. That includes our Castro needle holder, dental composite filling instruments, crown spreader, temporary crown remover, and a whole lot more.
Wrapping Up Our Conversation on Dental Elevators vs Periotomes
We hope this conversation on dental elevators vs periotomes helped you gain clarity as to why our Xpanders™ are the premier choice for any dental professional looking to improve the way they extract teeth. You’ll gain better productivity while stressing less over procedures. What more could you ask for? How about direct-to-dentist pricing & free shipping?
All of this is why ArtCraft Dental is quickly becoming the premier choice for dental supplies online. Whether you want to improve your temporary crown removal process or enhance your dental composite restoration technique, you can count on us to help you perfect your craft and reach your full potential. So, what are you waiting for? See all that we have in store for you today!
