In a dental extraction, what instrument is used before the extraction forceps?

Before the extraction forceps are used in a dental extraction, periosteal elevators are important instruments to utilize. These tools are designed specifically to detach the periosteum, which is the tissue that covers the bones, from the alveolar bone surrounding the tooth that is to be extracted. By using a periosteal elevator, the dentist can effectively lift the gum tissue away from the tooth and gain access to the bone and the tooth itself.

This step is crucial as it helps to minimize trauma to the surrounding tissues and prepares the site for the subsequent use of extraction forceps. Properly elevating the periosteum can also facilitate easier mobility of the tooth, making the extraction process smoother and more efficient.

In contrast, while other instruments such as surgical curettes, bone files, and rongeurs serve specific purposes in dental procedures, they are not primarily utilized for the initial steps in a tooth extraction. Surgical curettes are generally used for cleaning and removing soft tissue or debris from the socket after extraction. Bone files are designed to smooth rough edges of bone, and rongeurs are employed to remove bone or tissue but not to access the tooth for extraction. Thus, the periosteal elevator stands out as the first critical instrument used prior to the