ATRAUMATIC EXTRACTION vs TRADITIONAL EXTRACTION
Which are the key differences between the more classical way of extracting teeth and the atraumatic one? And why should you consider approaching this extraction technique?
A traditional tooth extraction implies the use of instruments in a prying motion (typically in a facial and lingual direction) to sever the periodontal ligament, and to expand the alveolus sufficiently to allow the forceps to pull the tooth and detach the remaining ligament fibers. The risks of this technique are the inadvertent pressure on an adjacent tooth, and the inadvertent fracture of the alveolar bone.
An atraumatic extraction is instead a technique developed to protect the bone of the alveolus and to protect the adjacent teeth. Using specialized instruments ( such as luxating elevators, periotomes, luxating hybrids and atraumatic forceps) the force applied to the tooth is directed apically, and the periodontal ligament is cut rather than torn.