Usage:

1. Luxating the Tooth: The elevator is inserted into the periodontal ligament space (the small space between the tooth and bone). The instrument is then rotated or twisted, which expands the socket and helps break the ligament holding the tooth.
2. Separating Tooth from Bone: Elevators can also help separate the tooth from its bony attachments, making extraction easier.

Types of Dental Elevators:

1. Straight Elevators: Typically used for anterior teeth.
2. Curved or Angled Elevators: Useful for posterior teeth, allowing better access and angulation.
3. Periotomes: A type of elevator with a very thin blade used to cut periodontal ligaments for atraumatic extractions, especially during procedures intending to preserve bone for dental implants.

Cryers (or Cryer Elevators):

Cryers are specialized dental elevators, designed mainly for removing roots or broken tooth fragments from sockets, especially in the posterior region.

Usage:

1. Root Removal: Once the crown of a molar is removed or if it’s already broken off, cryers can help elevate and remove the remaining roots.
2. Expanding the Socket: Similar to other elevators, cryers can help expand the socket, making extraction more straightforward.

Distinctive Feature:

Cryer elevators often have a paired design, with one instrument curved to the left and the other curved to the right, which allows for better access to both sides of dental arches.