Maxillofacial Elevators, Strippers and Bone Instruments
Instrument guides
Maxillofacial Elevators, Strippers and Bone Instruments
Which elevators, strippers, rongeurs, files and hooks are used in jaw and facial surgery, how they differ, and the sizes we make.
Before the jaw can be cut or plated, the periosteum is lifted off the bone. Obwegeser periosteal elevators do this in widths from 6 to 11 mm, J strippers and V notched raspatories follow the ramus border, and sided mandibular raspatories reach behind it. Rongeurs bite away bone, bone files and curettes smooth and clean it, bone hooks and holding forceps control segments, and the Rowe zygomatic elevator lifts a fractured cheekbone back into place.
Where do these instruments come from?
Intraoral jaw surgery as Hugo Obwegeser developed it needs the periosteum lifted cleanly from the mandible and maxilla through the mouth, often around corners. That is why so many maxillofacial elevators and strippers carry his name and come in sided and notched forms. For the septal and facial elevators used in rhinoplasty, see our elevator guide.
Which instruments do we make?
| Group | Patterns | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Obwegeser elevators | periosteal elevator, 18 cm, 20 cm | 6, 7, 9, 11 mm |
| Strippers and raspatories | Obwegeser J stripper, V notched, ramus stripper, mandibular raspatory left, right, Hargis anterior border stripper | 5 to 9 mm |
| Other elevators | Hargis, 6.5 or 9 mm, Carlin, Seldin No. 23, Steinberg | 15.5 to 20 cm |
| Fracture reduction | Rowe zygomatic elevator, zygomatic instrument, Rowe orbital hook, left, right, Dingman-Wilk hook, Tessier bone hook | 19 to 25.5 cm |
| Rongeurs and cutting forceps | Lempert, Hartman, Kerrison, Cleveland cutting forceps, Jansen-Middleton | 15.5 to 17.5 cm |
| Files and curettes | Miller-Colburn bone file, curette straight, Fig 0 and 1, angled, Fig 2 and 4 | |
| Holding and fixation | Wolford bone holding forceps, Lindorf plate holder, screwdriver, 1.5 to 2.7 mm tips, Jaboma TC needle holder | |
| Intranasal hammers | Quisling, Rubin | 17 to 19 cm |
| Dental and modelling | dental cartridge syringe, modelling plier, Luniatschek modelling instrument |
How do you choose an elevator width?
A wider elevator lifts more periosteum per stroke over flat bone. A narrower one follows curves and edges such as the ramus border and the infraorbital region. Most trays carry two Obwegeser widths and one J stripper. Sharp ends start the plane under the periosteum, and blunt ends extend it with less risk of tearing.
How should they be cleaned?
Clean bone dust from rongeur jaws, file teeth and curette cups straight after use. Lubricate rongeur joints, and check that the cutting jaws meet evenly. Never leave instruments in saline, because it causes corrosion. Our instrument care guide gives the full routine, and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization explains why cleaning comes before the autoclave.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Obwegeser periosteal elevator used for?
Lifting the periosteum off the mandible and maxilla in jaw surgery. We make it in 6, 7, 9 and 11 mm widths.
What is a J stripper?
A J shaped stripper that follows the border of the mandibular ramus to free the periosteum and muscle attachments.
What is a Rowe zygomatic elevator for?
Lifting a depressed cheekbone fracture back into position.
Can rongeurs be autoclaved?
Yes. Clean and lubricate the joint first, and sterilize them open.
Related instrument guides
- Orthognathic osteotomes and separators
- Maxillofacial retractors
- Mouth gag types
- Septal and periosteal elevators
Order maxillofacial instruments
See the full maxillofacial instrument range. For a set for a hospital, a clinic or a distributor, send us your list and we will send you a quote.