title: The utility of the electric mallet.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of electrical mallet for tooth extraction evaluating the integrity of fresh sockets walls. From July 2009 to February 2012, 427 hopeless teeth were extracted in 156 patients: 96 males and 60 females, with a mean age of 53.2 ± 26.4 years. Two hundred fifty teeth were extracted from the maxilla and 177 from the mandible. Extractions were performed using an electrical mallet. It pushed blade in a longitudinal movement along central axis, moving up and down toward the periodontal ligament space in a repetitive manner, providing a driving mechanism of longitudinal movements. Intraoral digital radiographic examinations were performed before and immediately after dental extractions to evaluate the lamina dura setting. No fracture or loss of cortical bone plate was observed in fresh sockets of teeth extracted by electrical mallet. All the alveoli revealed full soft tissue secondary healing 2 weeks after complete root extraction. During the healing period, there were no signs of inflamed tissue or exposed bone in any of the cases. As reported in this clinical study, maximum preservation of the alveolar housing and related gingival structures may be achieved following assisted atraumatic tooth extraction by electrical mallet.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Dentistry, Vita Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: Giovanni B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Bruschi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capparé
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gherlone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000601:surgery; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000601:surgery*