Dental Forceps: Specialized Instruments for Oral Procedures
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), nearly 44% US population visits dental care facilities every year. Among these, many people are in need of dental extraction procedures which are done with the help of dental forceps. These dental forceps are the tools employed for firmly holding the tooth’s crown, loosening it from its place, and finally removing it from the socket. As our teeth vary in size and shape, the types of dental forceps required for their procedures also differ.
Dental forceps are being employed for dental procedures
In this article, let us go through the types and functionality of dental forceps as well as some of their notable brands and features.
Classification of Dental Forceps
Dental forceps are classified based on the arch they target, their handle shape, as well as their type. These have been detailed as follows:
1.     Based on the Arch to be Used
As hinted earlier, almost all of our teeth differ from one another based on anatomical variations. Therefore, specific dental forceps have been designed for each tooth to facilitate extraction. Based on the arch these forceps can target, these are classified into two categories:
- Maxillary
- Mandibular
All of these instruments are given a number for easy identification and have been summarized in the following tables:
| Dental Extraction Forceps for Maxillary Teeth | |
| Anterior and Premolars | |
| #99 | Maxillary anteriors and premolars |
| #150 | Maxillary anteriors and premolars |
| First & Second Molars | |
| #18r* | Maxillary right first and second molars |
| #18L* | Maxillary left first and second molars |
| #53r | Maxillary right first and second molars |
| #53l | Maxillary left first and second molars |
| #88r | Maxillary right first and second molars |
| #88l | Maxillary left first and second molars |
| Third Molars | |
| #210 | Maxillary third molars |
| Anteriors & Root Tips | |
| #65 | Maxillary overlapping anteriors and root tips |
| #69 | Maxillary and mandibular overlapping anteriors and root tips |
*r=Right, L=Left
| Dental Extraction Forceps for Mandibular Teeth | |
| Anterior and Root Tips | |
| #74 | Mandibular root tips |
| #101 | All deciduous teeth and mandibular anteriors |
| #103 | Mandibular anteriors and premolars |
| #151 | Mandibular anteriors and premolars |
| First & Second Molars | |
| #15 | Mandibular first and second molars |
| #17 | Mandibular first and second molars |
| #16 | Mandibular first and second molars |
| #23 | Mandibular first and second molars |
| Third Molars | |
| #222 | Mandibular third molars |
Dental forceps with serrations are easy to handle
This type of classification system, as discussed above, is employed for separating the dental forceps based on their use on either maxillary teeth or the mandibular ones. Apart from their types based on the teeth they target, dental forceps can be further classified into subcategories on different grounds. This includes the following:
2.     Based on the Direction of the Hinge or Joint
Hinges pivotally connect the first and the second handles of dental forceps. These are also important for delivering the force applied on the device handle to the beaks. Based on the design of these hinges, the dental forceps are of two types:
- American type
- English type
The American-type dental forceps are those that have hinges in the horizontal direction. These instruments have seamless bolts which keep the two arms of the forceps attached. However, English-type dental forceps are known for having vertical hinges corresponding to the vertically positioned handles.
3.     Based on Handle Design
Handles of the dental forceps are the arms that are used to hold the device. They should be strong enough to bear pressure. The handles of the dental forceps can be:
- Straight
- Curved
Apart from having different shapes, these handles are also either smooth or serrated. The serrated design is a preference by the dentists as it has anti-slippage properties which ensure a stronger grip.
Dental forceps are often employed for removing teeth from the buccal cavity
Beaks of the Dental Forceps
The beak is the functional part of the dental forceps. These beaks vary in shape depending upon the tooth they target i.e. different beak shapes are required for single-rooted, two-rooted, and three-rooted teeth.
· Beaks of Maxillary Dental Forceps
In most dental forceps, beaks are parallel to the axis of the tooth. For instruments that are used for maxillary anteriors, the beaks are designed to be parallel to their handles. However, beaks need to be offset in a bayonet fashion if the posterior teeth are to be accessed.
· Beaks of Mandibular Dental Forceps
The beaks in the mandibular forceps are perpendicular to the handles. This adjustment allows the parallel placement of the beaks to the long axis of the tooth. As a result, the usage of dental forceps becomes easy and comfortable for the dentist.
Reusing Dental Forceps: How to Clean Them?
As dental forceps are reusable items, they need to be cleaned and sterilized before every use. For this purpose, the following steps should be kept in mind:
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes gloves, face mask, and eyewear. These are essential as they keep you protected against germs present in the used instruments.
- The next step is to pre-soak the forceps to remove any biological debris. To do so, enzymatic cleaners or spray gels can be an effective option.
- After soaking and cleaning, make sure all the visible materials are out of the instrument. This can either be done by hand or by placing the forceps in automated instrument washers.
- Let the instruments air dry so that the risk of bacterial buildup can be avoided. Once dried, pack the instruments.
- The next stage is to autoclave dental forceps. The steam generated in the device destroys the microbes efficiently and thus makes the products fully clean.
- Air dry the dental forceps once again which are then ready to be used again.
The molar is being removed using dental forceps suited for three-rooted tooth extraction
Dental Forceps at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Dental forceps are the instruments which are employed by dentists to conduct tooth extraction procedures. These come in different shapes and sizes and their choice depends upon the tooth which is to be extracted.
These products are made up of stainless steel and are therefore long-lasting. Considering their essentiality, many different types of dental forceps are available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #69 EACH
US$115.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #69 EACH are curved in shape at their top end. These have a serrated design which ensures a stronger grip during dental procedures. The construction material is either Sklar Premium OR Grade or Merit Physician Office Grade stainless steel which makes the instrument reusable again and again.
The product is long-lasting and completely latex-free when rendering it safe to use on patients who usually get a reaction with medical and dental instruments. All of the Sklar dental extracting forceps are individually packed in unsterilized form but can be subjected to autoclaving before use.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #62 EACH
US$127.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #62 EACH are another option when it comes to conducting dental procedures. These are similar to the above-mentioned products in terms of their construction and features.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #151 EACH
US$122.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #151 EACH are stainless steel products that are employed for dental procedures. Their serrated design allows the dentist to hold these dental forceps firmly without the risk of falling. Like the above-mentioned products, these dental forceps are also reusable and can be subjected to sterilization either by using steam or dry heat.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #65 EACH
US$121.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #65 EACH are manufactured using stainless steel as construction material. These dental forceps provide a stronger grip due to the presence of serrations on them. Moreover, these are angled to reach the back of the buccal cavity.
Sklar Extracting Forceps #17 EACH
US$123.88 to $381.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #17 EACH are straighter in shape and have a serrated working surface. These are reusable because of stainless steel as their construction material. Furthermore, the product does not have latex in it which indicates high patient safety. These Sklar dental forceps come in individualized packs in non-sterile form.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #23 EACH
US$123.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #23 EACH are the dental forceps that come with blunt tips. These have a pier handle which makes them easy to hold and use. Their stainless steel construction renders them long-lasting. Although there is a need to sterilize the instrument after every use.
The product is available in both straight as well as curved forms. The straight ones are manufactured using Physician Grade (Pakistan) steel while the curved ones have Premium OR-Grade steel. Moreover, the former has a smooth working surface style while the latter has a serrated one. These dental forceps have a guarantee of up to 10 years.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #16 EACH
US$126.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #16 EACH are stainless steel-based dental forceps. These have a serrated working surface. The product is manufactured and packed in unsterilized form but can be sterilized before and after each employment. In addition, their latex-free nature renders them safe for the patients.
Sklar Dental Extracting Forceps #88L EACH
US$127.88 to $179.88
Product Details
Sklar dental extracting forceps #88L EACH come in both sharp as well as blunt-ended tips. These are angled to the left and have a smooth finish to them. The handles are pliers and are made up of stainless steel. Furthermore, the product has all the qualities mentioned above. It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary depending on the vendor.
Dental forceps come in various designs and shapes to facilitate different functions
The different types of dental forceps mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out different types of dental forceps.
Bottom Line
Dental forceps are one of the necessary items in dental practice. These are needed for holding, loosening, and then extracting teeth out of their sockets. As teeth differ in their shapes and anatomy, the dental forceps also vary in this regard so that a specific forceps is available for a particular tooth.
Being made up of stainless steel, the dental forceps are strong and often come with a lifetime guarantee. In addition, sterilizing these forceps is also easy as they can tolerate high temperatures as well as steam. For purchasing the different types of dental forceps, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-care-market
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
