By Emily Sofia
Periotomes have become an increasingly popular tool among dentists because they are minimally invasive and can preserve alveolar bone structure.
This dental instrument is explicitly designed for detaching teeth from the gum with minor trauma and improves patients’ healing after crown lengthening, tooth extraction, and flap surgery.
This functional tool is an essential part of every dentist’s toolkit.
An Overview of Periotome Dental Instrument
A periotome is a dental instrument used during periodontal surgery to separate gum tissue from the tooth surface gently. This allows the dentist to access the root surface for cleaning, scaling, planing, and sometimes minor reshaping.
The dental instruments come in different sizes, angles, and blade types to suit various surgical needs. The two most common are the Gracey curette, with a sharpened hoe-like end, and the scaler, with a flattened chisel end. The dentist chooses the periotome dental instrument according to the tooth’s location and procedure.
The Benefits of Using Periotome in Dental Procedures
As a dentist, using periotome dental during procedures offers some significant benefits.
- It Improves the patient’s comfort. The Periotome dental instrument gently separates the gum tissue from the tooth with minimal pressure and cutting. This results in less bleeding, less gum trauma, and better patient experience.
- It provides enhanced access. By gently reflecting the gums, the instrument offers improved visibility and access to the tooth’s roots and surrounding bone, making extraction, root canals, and implants easier.
- It reduces recovery time. Thanks to the dental periotome’s minimally invasive nature, patients experience less pain, swelling, and discomfort after the procedure. The gums heal faster, often within a week, allowing patients to return to everyday activities soon.
- It may lower the risk of infection. Less cutting and damage to the gums reduce the risk of infection following a procedure. The dental instrument technique also maintains the integrity of the soft tissue surrounding the tooth, providing an intact barrier against pathogens.
- It can be used on patients of all ages. The periotome dental instrument is suitable for patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Its gentle action and minimally invasive approach make it safe for all patients.
Saying it all, this tool with perfect design will enhance your practical experience.
How to Use Periotome: A Step-by-Step Guide for Dentists
Using a periotome requires practice. Here are the basic steps to keep in mind:
Preparation
Dental peritomes come in different angles and sizes depending on the area of the mouth being worked on. Therefore, double-check that you have the correct periotome attachment for the procedure. Make sure the periotome dental instrument is securely attached to your handpiece.
Anesthesia
Administer local anesthesia to numb the area you’ll be working on thoroughly. Both buccal and lingual soft tissues and bone must be anesthetized for patients’ comfort. Wait for anesthesia to take effect before beginning.
Incision
Make a small incision in the gingiva to access the gum and tooth roots with a dental periotome. Place the instrument at a 90° angle to the root surface. Apply firm and steady pressure apically to sever the connective tissue attachments between tooth and bone carefully.
Detachment
Slowly and carefully work the periotome dental along each tooth root to fully detach the tooth from the surrounding bone. Repeat the detachment process on the tooth’s adjacent buccal and lingual sides.
Final Check
Gently test to ensure the tooth is fully detached before attempting attractions. There should be no resistance or bleeding as you move the tooth in all directions. If it still feels attached, you may need to repeat the process to fully detach the tooth before extracting.
Properly using a dental periotome takes practice and patience. Go slowly, be extremely careful, and never force it into the place. With regular use, it can become an invaluable tool for minimally invasive extractions.
Conclusion
Periotomes are designed to gently separate the periodontal ligament from the tooth root, preserving the integrity of the alveolar bone and reducing the risk of post-extraction complications. At GerDentUSA Inc., they are committed to providing dentists with the highest-quality instruments and tools they need to perform their best.
They are crafted from the finest materials and designed for optimal performance, ensuring dentists can provide their patients with the minimally invasive and patient-friendly tooth extraction procedures they deserve.
FAQs
What type of periotomes is best for extraction?
It depends on the tooth’s position. Straight periotomes are best for anterior tooth extraction because a refined instrument is sufficient for the anterior ridge without stress. An angled periotome is best for posterior teeth.
What is the difference between a periotome and a proximator?
A periotome is very thin and used for cutting ligaments. A Proximator is used to elevate and luxate teeth during tooth extraction.
What is a dental periotome?
Periotomes are dental extraction instruments placed in the periodontal ligament space and apply vertical pressure along the long axis of the tooth root.
What's your reaction?
