Volume 3, Issue 1 2016, Kamal Turki Aftan
A new Approach to Extract Remaining Root Apex Using Modified Elevator Design Kamal Turki Aftan (F.I.B.M.S), Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Anbar University , Iraq Corresponding Author: Kamal Turki Aftan E-mail:
[email protected] ABSTRACT Introduction: Dental elevators are often used in traditional surgical extraction procedure to extract remaining root apex. In this study, a conventional straight elevator was modified by changing its blade into a different form that enables the operator to use this modified elevator in innovative technique for extraction of remaining root apex without the need for surgical extraction procedure of flap reflection and bone removal. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using a unique and innovative modified elevator design in extraction of a retained root tip of upper and lower anterior teeth and upper premolar teeth. Materials and methods: A prospective comparative study design was used on 400 patients divided equally into two groups. In group A (study group), the patients were treated using a modified elevator design for extraction of remaining root. In group B (control group), conventional surgical extractions involving flap reflection and bone removal were performed on patients for extraction of remaining root apices. The time was calculated in minutes and postoperative complications were assessed clinically. T-Test statistical analysis was used to examine differences in extraction time between groups. Results: By using the modified elevator, 200 patients (120 males and 80 females) in group A underwent extraction of remaining root apex of upper and lower anterior teeth and upper premolar teeth without flap reflection or alveolar crest bone removal. In Group B, conventional surgical extraction was performed on the other 200 patients (130 males and 70 females). The mean age of patients was 44 years in group A and 43 years in group B. Surgical extractions of root apices in group B took longer time (mean = 20.23 ± SD 3.93 minutes) in comparison to extractions using modified elevator in group A (mean = 2.36 ± SD 0.82 minutes). The difference in extraction time between group A and group B was statistically significant (p
