When Extractions Go Sideways: A Practical System for Broken Crowns, Root Tips, and Predictable Surgical Extractions

Even routine extractions can quickly become complicated—broken crowns, root tips, limited visibility, and unexpected resistance. This lesson by Dr. Aaron Nicholas focuses on building a clear, repeatable system so you can approach these cases with more confidence and control.

• Apply the “moat concept” to simplify complex extractions by creating space around roots.
• Differentiate when to use elevators, luxators, forceps, or surgical handpieces for predictable outcomes.
• Demonstrate proper elevation techniques, including apical pressure and controlled force application.
• Identify indications for sectioning teeth and removing bone to facilitate extraction.
• Recognize clinical scenarios that require referral versus in-office management.

The speaker declares that neither he nor any member of his family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate offering financial support of grant monies for this CE program. Although commercially available products may be discussed, no financial arrangements exist between those companies and the speaker.