TL;DR: Periosteal elevators are essential instruments for atraumatic flap elevation in periodontal, implant, and oral surgery procedures. This guide covers the most popular designs — from Woodson and Seldin to Goldman Fox and Freer — and helps you choose the right elevator for each clinical situation, all available from EBIKO Dental.
As of April 2026, periosteal elevators remain among the most frequently used instruments in any oral surgery or periodontal procedure. Whether you are raising a full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap for implant placement, exposing bone for a crown lengthening, or reflecting tissue for a third molar extraction, the periosteal elevator you choose directly affects tissue integrity, healing time, and clinical outcomes.
For dental professionals across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, and the broader GTA, selecting the right periosteal elevator is not just a matter of preference — it is a clinical decision that impacts every surgical case. EBIKO Dental carries one of Canada's most comprehensive selections of periosteal elevators, each designed for specific surgical applications.
What Is a Periosteal Elevator and Why Does Design Matter?
A periosteal elevator is a hand instrument used to separate the periosteum and mucoperiosteal tissues from the underlying bone. The goal is clean, atraumatic elevation that preserves the blood supply to the flap, minimizes tissue trauma, and provides adequate surgical access.
Design differences between periosteal elevators are not cosmetic. Blade width, curvature, sharpness, and handle ergonomics all determine how the instrument performs in different anatomical locations and tissue types. Using a wide, flat elevator in a narrow interproximal space — or a delicate, thin elevator where you need firm leverage — compromises your surgical result.
Essential Periosteal Elevator Designs and Their Clinical Applications
Woodson Periosteal Elevator
The Woodson Periosteal Elevator is a versatile, double-ended instrument that belongs in every surgical kit. One end features a flat, paddle-like blade for broad tissue reflection, while the opposite end has a pointed tip for initiating flap elevation and working in tighter spaces.
The Woodson is particularly useful for general flap procedures where you need both initial incision-line reflection and broader periosteal stripping in a single instrument. Many clinicians in the GTA keep the Woodson as their go-to starting elevator for routine surgical extractions and implant site access. EBIKO Dental also offers the Siyah Woodson Periosteal in a premium black titanium finish that reduces glare under operatory lighting.
Seldin Periosteal Elevator
The #23 Seldin Periosteal Elevator is a workhorse instrument for full-thickness flap elevation. Its broad, slightly curved blade provides excellent surface contact for efficient tissue reflection across larger areas of bone, making it ideal for implant surgery, bone grafting procedures, and extensive periodontal flaps.
The Seldin design allows controlled, sweeping strokes that separate the periosteum cleanly without excessive force. For cases where additional grip on resistant periosteum is needed, EBIKO Dental carries the #23 Seldin Periosteal with Serrations, which provides enhanced tissue engagement during elevation.
Pro Tip: Reserve the serrated Seldin for areas where the periosteum is thick and firmly attached, such as the buccal shelf of the mandible. In thinner tissue areas, the standard smooth-blade version reduces the risk of periosteal tearing.
Goldman Fox Periosteal Elevator
The #14 Goldman Fox Periosteal Elevator is a narrower, more delicate instrument designed for periodontal flap surgery where precision matters more than broad coverage. Its slim profile makes it excellent for reflecting interdental papillae, working around furcation areas, and accessing tight posterior regions.
The Goldman Fox is a favourite among periodontists performing crown lengthening, osseous surgery, and guided tissue regeneration procedures across Ontario. EBIKO Dental offers it in both the standard stainless steel and the #14 Siyah Goldman Fox Periosteal with an anti-glare black titanium coating.
Freer Periosteal Elevator
The Freer elevator comes in two configurations, each serving a distinct purpose. The #15 Freer Curved Periosteal features a gently curved blade that follows the natural contour of alveolar bone, making it well suited for reflecting tissue around curved bony surfaces during extraction socket management or ridge augmentation.
The #16 Freer Strongly Curved Periosteal has a more pronounced curvature, designed for deep palatal or lingual tissue elevation where the anatomy requires the instrument to wrap around bony prominences. The strongly curved version is particularly useful in maxillary sinus augmentation approaches and palatal flap elevation.
Kramer Nevins Periosteal Elevator
The #1 Kramer Nevins Periosteal is designed specifically for implant and regenerative surgery. Its thin, sharp blade allows precise elevation in areas where preserving every millimetre of soft tissue matters — such as around healing abutments, membrane placement sites, and connective tissue graft donor areas.
EBIKO Dental carries the full Kramer Nevins line, including the #152 Kramer Nevins Periosteal and the #152 Kramer Nevins Siyah Periosteal in a premium finish.
LaBanca Periosteal Elevator
The LaBanca Periosteal Elevator and the #2 LaBanca Modified Periosteal are designed for versatile surgical access. The modified version features a slightly wider blade with enhanced curvature, giving clinicians better leverage when reflecting firmly attached periosteum in the posterior mandible or along the external oblique ridge.
For clinicians who prefer a premium instrument feel, the #2 Siyah LaBanca Modified Periosteal combines the same blade geometry with EBIKO's black titanium Siyah coating.
Additional Periosteal Elevators in the EBIKO Catalogue
EBIKO Dental's selection extends well beyond the most common designs. Depending on your surgical focus, consider:
- Hopkins Periosteal (#1 and #2) — compact design for anterior surgical access
- Hourigan Periosteal — a broader blade for efficient mucoperiosteal reflection
- #20 Hirschfield Periosteal — a narrow, pointed design for interdental papilla reflection
- #12S Bennett Periosteal — well suited for flap procedures in the anterior maxilla
- #149 Periosteal and #25 Periosteal — versatile options for general surgical use
How to Choose the Right Periosteal Elevator for Each Procedure
Selecting the right elevator depends on three clinical factors:
1. Anatomical Location
Anterior maxilla and mandible: Use narrower instruments like the Goldman Fox or Hopkins for precise elevation around esthetic zone teeth. Posterior mandible: The Seldin or LaBanca Modified provide the leverage needed for thick, firmly attached buccal periosteum. Palatal and lingual: The Freer Strongly Curved excels where anatomy demands the instrument to follow bone curvature.
2. Tissue Thickness and Attachment
Thick, firmly attached periosteum in areas like the buccal shelf or external oblique ridge requires a broader blade and more robust instrument. The Seldin with serrations or the LaBanca Modified are strong choices. Thin, delicate tissue around implant sites or graft areas calls for the Kramer Nevins or Goldman Fox.
3. Procedure Type
Routine extractions: Woodson (versatile, double-ended). Implant surgery: Kramer Nevins (precision) + Seldin (broad reflection). Periodontal flap surgery: Goldman Fox (interdental) + Freer Curved (broad reflection). Bone grafting/GBR: Kramer Nevins (membrane sites) + LaBanca (access).
Pro Tip: Build a surgical cassette with three periosteal elevators: one narrow (Goldman Fox or Kramer Nevins), one broad (Seldin), and one curved (Freer). This combination covers the vast majority of flap procedures without overloading your tray.
Instrument Care and IPAC Compliance
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) requires all reusable surgical instruments to follow strict infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols. For periosteal elevators:
- Clean instruments immediately after use to prevent biofilm formation
- Process through an ultrasonic cleaner before sterilization
- Sterilize using a validated autoclave cycle appropriate for the instrument material
- Inspect blade edges before each use — a dull periosteal elevator requires more force, increasing tissue trauma
- Store sterilized instruments in sealed pouches or cassettes until point of use
Pro Tip: Replace periosteal elevators when blade edges become visibly rounded or when the instrument no longer separates tissue with light pressure. Most stainless steel elevators maintain their edge through 200–300 sterilization cycles with proper care.
Why Canadian Dental Professionals Choose EBIKO Dental
EBIKO Dental supplies dental professionals across Canada with high-quality instruments at competitive prices. Orders over $99 CAD ship free within the GTA, $199 CAD free across Ontario, and $299 CAD free Canada-wide. EBIKO Dental also offers a price match guarantee, so you can be confident you are getting the best value for your instrument purchases.
Shop the full selection of periosteal elevators and surgical instruments at EBIKO Dental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a periosteal elevator and a regular elevator used in extractions?
A periosteal elevator is designed to separate soft tissue (periosteum and mucosa) from bone to create a surgical flap. Dental elevators used in extractions — such as Bein or Coupland elevators — are designed to luxate teeth by wedging between the tooth root and the alveolar bone. They serve fundamentally different purposes and are not interchangeable. Using an extraction elevator on soft tissue risks tearing, and using a periosteal elevator to luxate a tooth risks bending or breaking the blade.
Q: How often should periosteal elevators be sharpened?
Most modern periosteal elevators from manufacturers like EBIKO Dental are made from surgical-grade stainless steel that holds its edge well through hundreds of sterilization cycles. Sharpen when the instrument no longer initiates tissue separation with light pressure, or when visual inspection shows rounding of the blade edge. Use a flat Arkansas stone or ceramic sharpening stone, maintaining the original bevel angle. Sharpen before sterilization, never after.
Q: Can I use one periosteal elevator for all surgical procedures?
While a versatile instrument like the Woodson can handle many situations, relying on a single elevator compromises your efficiency and tissue handling. A narrow elevator struggles in areas requiring broad reflection, and a wide elevator is clumsy in tight interdental spaces. Most oral surgeons and periodontists in Ontario keep a minimum of three periosteal elevator designs in their surgical kits to cover the range of clinical scenarios they encounter.