Once you know what luxators, elevators and periotomes are for, the next question is which ones to actually buy. Kit lists often just say "luxating elevators" without telling you how many, what widths or whether a set is better value than singles. This guide is here to help dental students, newly qualified clinicians and practice managers make that decision without overspending.
If you'd like a refresher on the difference between the instruments themselves, read our earlier guide, Luxators, Elevators or Forceps? A Guide for Dental Students. This article is purely about buying: what to look for, what to start with and how to look after it.
Sold for professional, veterinary, training or educational use. This is a buying guide, not clinical advice, so always follow your tutors, your clinic's protocols and your own training on technique.
Blade widths: why one size isn't enough
Luxators and periotomes are made in a range of blade widths, from very fine tips of around 1 mm up to wider blades of several millimetres. Narrow tips suit tight spaces and smaller roots; wider blades suit larger roots. Because you'll meet a range of tooth and root sizes, most people need several widths rather than one "do-it-all" instrument.
That's the main reason kits are popular. A set gives you a spread of widths and shapes in one go, so you can pick the one that matches the job in front of you.
Straight or curved tips?
Straight tips are the easiest to control and the most widely used, especially at the front of the mouth. Curved or angled tips help you reach and follow the root surface further back, where a straight blade can be awkward to position. A good starter kit will include a mix of shapes. If you're buying singles, start with straight and add curved ones as you find you need them.
Kits of 8 or 10, or single instruments?
- 8-piece kits cover the common widths and shapes and are the usual starting point for students. They're easy to carry and cost less per instrument than buying singles.
- 10-piece kits add a few more sizes and shapes, and often include finer periotome-style tips. Worth considering if you want one set that covers a wider range of work.
- Single instruments make sense once you already have a kit and know which widths you reach for most. They're also handy for replacing a single tip that's been damaged.
Colour-coded handles
Colour-coded handles let you pick the right size off a tray at a glance instead of checking each tip. That sounds minor until you're working quickly with gloves on. They also make it easier to check the full set is back together after cleaning. If you're choosing between two similar kits, colour coding is a genuinely useful tiebreaker.
Gold-coated tips
Some sets have gold-coloured coated tips. The coating makes the working ends easy to spot and gives the set a distinctive look, and underneath they're the same stainless steel. Whether you choose coated or plain is mostly personal preference; both are reusable and autoclavable.
Storage case
Fine tips are the weak point of any luxator or periotome. If they knock together loose in a drawer or bag, edges get dinged. A zipped case keeps each instrument separate and protected, which is especially useful if you carry your kit between clinics, teaching sessions or placements.
Our elevators, luxators and periotomes compared
All of these are NS Crafts® instruments from our own range.
| Product | Pieces | Handles | Case | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Periotome 1mm Straight | 1 (ultra fine 1 mm straight tip) | Ergonomic handle | No | from £9.99 |
| Dental Luxation Elevator Kit – 8 Pcs | 8 luxating elevators in different tip shapes | Colour-coded, anti-slip | No | from £39.99 |
| Dental Luxation Elevator Set – 8 Pieces, Golden Coated Tips | 8 luxation elevators with gold-coated tips | Colour-coded, ergonomic | Zip case | from £44.99 |
| 10 Luxating Elevators & Periotome Set | 10 luxating elevators with periotome-style tips | Ergonomic | Zipped case | from £49.99 |
Prices correct at time of writing. All instruments are stainless steel and autoclavable.
What to buy first
- Start with an 8-piece kit. The 8-piece kit with colour-coded handles is the most economical way to get a full spread of sizes. If you want a case included, choose the gold-tipped 8-piece set instead.
- Want finer tips too? Go for the 10-piece set with periotome-style tips, which comes in a zipped case.
- Add singles as you go. A 1 mm straight periotome is a low-cost way to add an extra-fine tip or to replace one you use most.
- Check your kit list. Many dental schools specify particular instruments or patterns, so match your purchase to what your course asks for.
Browse the full range in our Dental Elevators, Luxators & Extraction Forceps collection.
Sterilisation and care
- Clean straight after use. Don't let debris dry onto the tips.
- Follow your clinic's cleaning and sterilisation procedures. The instruments listed here are autoclavable.
- Dry thoroughly before storing to help keep the stainless steel in good condition.
- Inspect the tips under good light. A bent or chipped edge is easy to miss.
- Store in a case or cassette so the fine blades don't knock together.
- Don't use a luxator as a lever. It's the most common cause of damaged tips.
Frequently asked questions
Should a dental student buy an 8-piece or 10-piece set?
An 8-piece set covers the common sizes and is the usual starting point. Choose the 10-piece set if you want finer periotome-style tips included as well.
Are the instruments autoclavable?
Yes. All the luxators, elevators and periotomes in this guide are stainless steel and can be autoclaved following your clinic's procedures.
Do the gold-coated tips work differently?
No. The coating makes the tips easy to spot and gives a distinctive finish. The instruments are stainless steel underneath, just like our plain sets.
Which sets come with a case?
The gold-tipped 8-piece set and the 10-piece periotome set both come with a zipped case. The standard 8-piece kit and single periotome don't include one.
Do you supply clinics and universities in bulk?
Yes, we take wholesale and trade orders. Email us with the products and quantities you need and we'll get back to you.
Free UK delivery, dispatched from Birmingham within 1 working day. Questions? Email ukcraftandhealth@gmail.com or call 07964 804274.