Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

The extraction of permanent molars primarily employs buccal movement as the technique of choice. This method involves applying a force in a buccal or outward direction, which is essential for displacing the molar from the socket effectively. During the extraction of molars, the roots are often wider and more divergent than those of other teeth, requiring a movement that allows for adequate physical space to loosen the tooth from its periodontal ligaments. Buccal movement emphasizes this directional force, as it helps in overcoming the resistance provided by the surrounding bone and supportive structures. Other techniques, such as rotation or inward movement, are not suitable for molar extractions due to the complex anatomy of the roots and their potential divergence. Lingual movement can also play a role in certain extractions but is typically secondary to the buccal approach, which is the primary force that achieves optimal results in removing permanent molars.