message board Why Proximators Rule Well-known Townie "davidpalmer" shows how something as basic as a proximator can make for a better dentist when done right davidpalmer Member Since: 04/14/00 Post: 1 of 83 Y'all know how much I like proximators. Thin straight one and especially the spade. The perfect balance of strength and thin to help you accomplish OS with the least amount of trauma. First case: snapped-off lateral between two PFM crowns. I want to remove as atraumatically as possible. Straight elevator is too thick here. Second case: older patient wanting to get another day out of an old bridge. Infected abutment tooth. Lay small flap and the spade proximator to the rescue. ■ 4/30/2019 almunk Member Since: 12/17/05 Post: 2 of 83 Nice job! Buy a few cheap spades on eBay and sharpen them and narrow them. You can get any chunk out with a sharp spade. Who cares if it breaks, because they only cost about $10. ■ 4/30/2019 davidpalmer Member Since: 04/14/00 Post: 4 of 83 44 First case was not the most perfect (but close!) to demonstrate the difference between the elevator and the proximator. Straight elevators are just too damn thick on the tip to start, and continue, down the PDL on certain teeth. If, for example, #10 would have been a tooth with a RC, and broken off under the gum line, the straight elevator doesn't stand a chance. Some dentists will sharpen the hell out of a few elevators trying to make a proximator. A thin little proximator will still find the PDL space no matter what, and (as I've posted before) can even be lightly tapped with a mallet to drive it apically on very tough teeth. No flap or handpiece needed. In another type case where you are trying to take out an upper AUGUST 2019 // dentaltown.comhttp://www.dentaltown.com