Preserving the buccal cortical plate is mandatory for functional and aesthetic restorative outcomes.

• Apical Wedging: Insert a thin periotome or straight luxator along the long axis into the periodontal ligament space. Use gentle, sustained apical pressure rather than forceful sideways leverage.

• Avoid the Fulcrum Fallacy: Never use an adjacent healthy tooth or the thin labial plate as a fulcrum. The primary support must come from interdental bone.

• Patience Over Torque: Apply light, continuous pressure for 5–10 seconds per quadrant of the root. This exhausts the collagen fibers of the PDL and allows slow osseous expansion without micro-fracturing the socket rim.