What is an elevator?

Well, it depends....

Or these...

Here's the tools that your dentist will use.

Dentists have a variety of instruments that they use to manipulate and apply pressure to teeth. Some of them are specialized pliers termed "extraction forceps." Dentists also use levers that are called "elevators" (they look somewhat similar to small screwdrivers).

A dentist will usually use an elevator first. These tools are intended to be wedged between the tooth and the bone surrounding it. The force the dentist applies to the elevator in turn places pressure on the tooth. This action on the tooth helps to expand its socket and separate it from its ligament. It's somewhat common that a tooth can be extracted with just the use of an elevator.  ouch!!!!!