A precision surgical instrument designed to separate the periodontal ligament and loosen teeth during extractions, making it an essential tool for veterinary dental procedures . Available in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different tooth types, including specialized designs for wolf teeth, incisors, and cheek teeth .

### 🦷 Key Features
* **Periodontal Ligament Separation**: Used to cut the periodontal attachments that hold the tooth in the alveolus, allowing for controlled loosening before extraction .
* **Specialized Designs**: Includes half-circle or three-quarter circle elevators for wolf teeth to allow for elevation on multiple sides without root fracture .
* **Versatile Application**: Suitable for a range of procedures, from routine extractions of incisors and canines to more complex cheek tooth removals .

### 🛠️ Types of Equine Dental Elevators
* **Wolf Tooth Elevators**: Typically half-circle or three-quarter circle design to safely elevate the small brachydont tooth .
* **Standard Elevators**: Used for loosening the gingival margin and cutting the periodontal ligament for larger teeth .
* **Sectioning Elevators**: Thin, specialized instruments used to separate tooth fragments after sectioning .

### 🐴 Clinical Use Notes
* **Technique**: Sharp elevators are inserted into the periodontal space to sever the ligament, followed by gentle manipulation to loosen the tooth .
* **Combination with Forceps**: Elevators are typically used in conjunction with extraction forceps; elevators alone will not result in tooth removal without forceps for the actual extraction .
* **Historical Context**: Dental elevators have been part of the profession for over 1,000 years, with early designs like the “goat’s foot” elevator still influencing modern instruments .