Sir, we write to inform your readers about techniques for non-surgical exodontia we have adapted to at Liverpool University Dental Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the avoidance of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) we have been avoiding the use of a surgical handpiece where possible, removing bone with rongeurs, bone chisel/osteotome (with a mallet) and bone files and using chisels to divide teeth (with a mallet).1 The importance of a good pre-operative clinical and radiographic assessment as well as fully informing the patient of potential treatment and risks involved is essential. These older techniques are useful to avoid additional PPE issues and environmental issues associated with AGPs.
Reference
Sabino-Silva R, Jardim A C, Siqueira W L. Coronavirus COVID-19 impacts to dentistry and potential salivary diagnosis. Clin Oral Investig 2020; 24: 1619-1621.
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Dingle, M., Irshad, H., McKernon, S. et al. Altered exodontia techniques. Br Dent J 228, 811–812 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1726-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1726-0