Elevator function involves the insertion of the active elevating tip, carrying the active elevating surface and edge, into the inter-dental spaces between the mesial (front- facing) surface of the tooth to be extracted and the distaF (rear-facing) surface of the adjacent tooth in front.

Luxator function involves the insertion of the active luxating tip, carrying the active luxating surface and edge, into the periodontal ligament space (i. e. the space containing the ligament between the tooth root surface and the bone to which the tooth attaches).

Current styles of elevators and luxators are comprised of an active tip and a handle, and a rigid connection between the tip end and the handle, characterised in that both the component parts (active tip, rigid connection and handle) and the plane of the active elevating or luxating surfaces exist in the same plane.

Current styles are difficult to use where there is a limitation of space, e. g. at the back of the mouth, so there is the need for a dental elevator/dental luxator that is designed for use where there is limited access.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL FEATURES An Offset Tip Elevator comprising a handle, an active elevating edge having a tip end and a rear end, and a rigid connection between the handle and the rear end of the of the elevating edge, where there exists a bend between the elevating edge and the rigid connection.

The device is characterised by the following features:- 1. The elevating edge, bend, rigid connection and handle all exist in the same plane; 2. The rigid connection and the handle exist in-line with each other (i. e. they share the same longitudinal axis); 3. The longitudinal axis of the elevating edge component (i. e. from tip end to rear end) is different from the longitudinal axis of the connection-handle arrangement; 4. As the plane of the active elevating edge/surfaces exists at an angle, preferably of 90 degrees, to the plane in which the bend-connection-handle arrangement exists ; 5. The plane of the active elevating surface is bisected by the plane in which the bend-connection-handle arrangement exists ; The active elevator component may incorporate the features, parts and surfaces found in current or future styles of dental elevator.

Dental luxators are special types of dental elevator, so they are substantially the same as elevators in general structure, with the difference being in the active functional tip.

It is possible hen, by the incorporation of the dental luxator elevating components, to make a Luxator form of the Offset Tip Elevator.

The Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator will be hereinafter referred to as the'invention'.

The invention may incorporate more than one bend along its length, and be also thickened for strength and/or handling along part or all of the bend and/or connection- handle. * The rigid connection and/or handle may be rectilinear if desired.

The arc ofthe concavity ofthe active elevating/lixating surface may exist in the tip end to rear end axis, or may exist in the side-to-side axis.

The active elevating surface (i. e. that surface on the elevating tip that is placed against the mesial or front surface of the tooth to be extracted during operation) on the elevating tip of the invention exists on the opposite side of the plane of the active elevating surface to the connection-handle arrangement. This means that when in function the active elevating surface faces away from the teeth anterior to the tooth to be extracted, and faces away from the clinician.

The cutting edge of the active luxating tip may also be located on either side of the tip end to rear end axis (i. e. on the longitudinal sides of the luxating component/tip).

Brief Description of the Drawings By way of example, a number of embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows at (A) a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of the Offset Tip Elevator, and at (B), (C) and (D) directional views of the embodiment in the directions marked X, Y and Z respectively, Figure 2 shows at (A) a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of the Offset Tip Elevator (as a Luxator), and at (B), (C) and (D) directional views of the embodiment in the directions marked X, Y and Z respectively, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another example of the invention, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of yet another example of the invention, Figure 5 shows a perspective view of still another example of the invention, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a further example of the invention, Figure 7 shows at (A) a perspective view of the invention, and-at (B) an enlarged view of the invention's active tip, Figure 8 shows the invention in a luxator embodiment/manifestation when in use in the mouth, Figure 9 shows the invention in an elevator embodiment/manifestation when in use in the mouth, Figure 10 shows a perspective view of yet another example of the invention.

Detailed Description of examples of the Invention Figure 1 shows at (A) a Sullman Offset Tip Elevator 1 embodying the invention, with an active elevating tip 2, a bend 3, rigid connection 4 and handle 5. Figures 1 (B), 1 (C) and 1 (D) provide views of the embodiment from each of the three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y and Z that are marked in 1 (A).

Figure 2 shows at (A) an embodiment of the invention when employed as a luxator, with an active luxator tip 6, a bend 3, rigid connection 4 and handle 5. Figures 2 (B), 2 (C) and 2 (D) provide views of the embodiment from each of the three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y and Z that are marked in 1 (A).

Figures 3,4 and 5 show perspective views of a variety of different examples of the luxator manifestation of the invention. Figures 4 and 5 shows that the bend and rigid connection is thicker than the active tip for the purposes of structural strength.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the elevator form.

Figure 7 shows at (A) the characteristic and innovative features of the invention, wherein the common axis KL of the rigid connection 4 and handle 5 shares the same plane EFGH as the axis MN of the active elevating tip Z : The axis of the tip MN is different from the connection-handle axis KL, and the plane ABDC of the active elevating tip surfaces is bisected by the plane EFGH containing the connection-handle axis.

The Figure 7 (B) shows an enlarged view of the tip-bend-connection part of-the elevator shown in 7 (A), illustrating the innovative active surface to connection-handle axis relationship being claimed for (ire. the plane of the active surfaces ABDC existing at an angle of more than 30 degrees to the plane EFGH containing the connection-handle axis).

Figure 8 shows the invention in fimction whetbeieused as a lusato. Z. in,.. tb. e. displacement and extraction of a lower left first molar tooth 7 in the lower dental arch, with the active luxator tip 6 being inserted into the periodontal ligament space.

Figure 9 shows the invention in function when being used as an elevator, in the removal of an upper left wisdom tooth 8 in the upper dental arch, with the placement of the active tip 2 into the inter-dental space between the second and third molars, in the space between the occlusal (biting) surface and the gingival mucosa.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the invention, as an elevator.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and particular embodiments hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e. g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.