Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tooth extraction, one of the most commonly performed dental procedures, is often associated with trauma to the dentoalveolar complex, resulting in pain, gingival laceration, and alveolar bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 100 patients requiring nonsurgical extraction of single-rooted maxillary or mandibular teeth. THE PATIENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: Group A (test group, n = 50) underwent extractions using a universal periotome, while Group B (control group, n = 50) underwent extractions with a periosteal elevator. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale at 3, 6, and 24 hours and on the 7(th) day postextraction. Additional parameters included duration of surgery, gingival laceration severity, and analgesic consumption. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter in Group A (4.97 ± 0.96 minutes) compared to Group B (11.47 ± 1.66 minutes; P < 0.0001). Gingival laceration scores were lower in Group A (1.26 ± 0.56) than in Group B (1.72 ± 0.97; P = 0.005). Postoperative pain was consistently lower in Group A across all time points, with pain scores nearly absent by Day 7 (Group A: 0.00 ± 0.00 vs Group B: 0.22 ± 0.42; P < 0.0001). Analgesic consumption was also reduced in Group A, where no patients required analgesics by Day 7, compared to 22% in Group B (P < 0.0001). Minimal postoperative complications were observed, with only one case of dry socket reported in Group B. CONCLUSION: The universal periotome demonstrated superior outcomes compared to conventional techniques, significantly reducing operative time, postoperative pain, gingival lacerations, and analgesic consumption. This minimally invasive technique preserves alveolar and gingival architecture, making it an effective alternative for single-rooted tooth extractions.