Types of Dental Forceps and Their Uses

By Dentmedhub Team 4 Views Aug 18, 2026

Types of Dental Forceps and Their Uses

Dental forceps are special pliers, used to grasp and extract teeth. Every pair of forceps has beaks, which are working parts, formed to fit a certain tooth or group of teeth. For example, upper anterior (incisor and canine) forceps have straight narrow beaks, while the lower molar forceps usually have pointed or cow horn shaped beaks to engage the multi rooted tooth. Using the appropriate forceps ensures a firm grip on the tooth and an ability to apply pressure in the direction of the root axis with ease. Any pair of forceps has a unique construction, to guarantee a convenient grip and root direction pressure for a certain tooth (or tooth group). In this article, we discuss various types of forceps, their indications, and how to choose and use them correctly.

Overview of dental forceps

Types of dental forceps

Uses and application of forceps

How to choose extraction forceps

Recommended forceps products

Care and maintenance of forceps

Common mistakes in using forceps

FAQ

Conclusion

Overview of dental forceps

Extraction forceps are the key dental instruments involved in tooth removal. Forceps usually have three parts: handles, a hinge, and beaks. Beaks are formed to fit the shape of a particular tooth or group of teeth. The hinge allows the beaks to open and close perpendicularly (in American pattern forceps) or at an angle (in English pattern forceps). In practice, there are also universal forceps, suitable for extracting several teeth. Using the correct pair of forceps is essential for a comfortable and safe procedure. The proper choice of instruments is based on the shape and location of the tooth, as well as the patient’s mouth opening size. In addition, every dentist must know the correct technique of using forceps for loosening the periodontal ligament and extracting the tooth.

Types of dental forceps

There are several types of dental forceps, designed for extracting upper or lower, anterior or molar teeth. Every instrument has a unique shape of the beaks and handles, allowing to extract a particular tooth with ease. Below are the most popular types of forceps:

Maxillary forceps : Used to extract upper anterior, premolar, and molar teeth. Upper anterior forceps have straight narrow beaks to engage incisors and canines. Premolar forceps have a slight bend in the beak to provide a better grip on the bicuspid’s neck during extraction. Upper molar forceps have a wide surface of the beaks to engage the buccal and palatal roots of the molar. To extract the upper molar teeth, dentists usually use right or left forceps, designed to fit the sixth dental root on each side.

Mandibular forceps : Used to extract lower anterior, premolar, and molar teeth. Mandibular forceps have a wide range of designs. For example, lower anterior forceps have a 90° bend in the shank to provide better access to the lower incisors. Their beaks are narrow and pointed to firmly engage the lower anterior tooth during extraction. Lower premolar forceps have a strong grip to extract the two rooted bicuspid. Mandibular molar forceps include cow horn forceps, designed to extract the lower molars. Such forceps have two pointed ends (horns) at the beak to engage the furcation of the lower molar tooth. In general, the mandibular forceps are used to apply the needed pressure directly on the tooth root.

Other patterns : There are also several other forceps, used in particular cases. For example, bayonet forceps have long beaks, which allow to extract broken roots from the socket. Pediatric forceps are smaller in size and used to extract children’s teeth. Besides, there are physics forceps, designed to avoid damaging the surrounding tissues during extraction. Various surgical forceps are used to suture tissues or break the roots during tooth removal. In general, every dentist should have a complete set of forceps, designed for extracting adult and children’s teeth of different locations and shapes.

Types of dental forceps including maxillary, mandibular, and cow horn forceps

Uses and application of forceps

There are three main uses of forceps in tooth extraction: luxation and delivery of the tooth, its mobilization, and root removal. First, during the luxation and delivery, forceps are applied to the tooth once the periodontal ligament has been sufficiently loosened using an elevator. Beaks of forceps should be entirely positioned on the root surface, and the dentist should apply the necessary pressure to widen the socket. In addition, the dentist should gently move the forceps in the buccolingual direction to completely separate the periodontal membrane and loosen the tooth. It is reported that forceps should be used to lift the tooth rather than pull it out. Second, forceps can be used for mobilization, increasing the space in the socket. To do that, the dentist should apply buccolingual or rotational pressure on the tooth with forceps. The instrument can be periodically clenched to widen the socket and make the tooth easier to be extracted. Third, forceps can be used to remove the tooth roots or fractured parts from the socket. Special kinds of forceps allow the dentist to reach the broken root and take it out with ease. In case of surgical extraction, forceps can be used together with elevators to extract the loosened tooth, the roots, and other tissues. To recap, there are three basic uses of forceps in dental practice.

How to choose extraction forceps

The dentist should choose forceps, based on the shape and location of the particular tooth, as well as the patient’s mouth opening size. It is reported that instruments should be selected according to the location and the position of the tooth in the dental arch. For example, the upper posterior teeth are more challenging to be extracted, compared to the lower ones. Therefore, the dentist should choose the forceps with an appropriate shank length and beak shape to extract the desired tooth. Other factors to consider are the quality and design of the forceps. It is essential to choose medical grade stainless steel instruments with a good hinge mechanism. The handle should also be anatomical and anti slip to ensure a comfortable grip. The quality of forceps can also be determined by the manufacturer’s warranty. In practice, most dentists choose a complete set of forceps that includes the most popular instruments for daily use. Such a set usually has the following instruments: #1 (upper anteriors), #150 (upper premolars), #88L, #88R, #74 (left and right upper molars), #23 (lower molars cow horn), #151 (universal forceps). In general, the dentist should invest in a good set of forceps, suitable for most cases.

Recommended forceps products

There is a wide range of products offered by different manufacturers. DentMedHub has a sufficient collection of quality forceps for personal and professional use. The company offers combined sets of various forceps for a better price. Such sets include the most popular instruments for extracting the majority of teeth, including #1, #151, #150, #88L, #88R, #74, #23, etc. Besides, there are pediatric sets of forceps for treating children’s teeth. The instruments have a smaller size, suitable for primary teeth extraction. Various sets for atraumatic (physics) extraction or other purposes are also available. In general, when choosing a set of forceps, the dentist should pay attention to the pattern, size, and brand. When working with DentMedHub , it is possible to choose the necessary set, according to the recommendations above. A universal set is a great choice, as it covers the majority of cases for extracting permanent and primary teeth. It is essential to choose the surgical grade stainless steel instruments, as such forceps will ensure a long use and good results.

Care and maintenance of forceps

Proper care and maintenance of forceps is critical to ensure the instruments’ long term use and avoid complications. First, the forceps must be cleaned and sterilized after each use. The cleaning process should be done by removing all the instruments from the autoclave or other sterilizing device. After that, the instruments should be rinsed or soaked to eliminate dry blood or other tissues inside the forceps. Next, the dentist should remove debris, located at the beak surface, using a brush. Then, the instruments must be sterilized again and placed in an autoclave. It is recommended to grease the hinge with oil to decrease the friction between the forceps parts. Second, the dentist should inspect the instruments for any damage or deformation. For example, the dentist should ensure that the forceps beaks meet at the same angle and do not have any cracks or defects. The improper hinge mechanism can also be a problem. Finally, the forceps should be stored in separate boxes or cassettes to avoid damaging the delicate beaks. Following the outlined guidelines will ensure the instruments’ good functioning for a long time.

Common mistakes in using forceps

There are several common mistakes in using forceps, which can lead to various complications. First, the dentist should not use the wrong kind of forceps for the particular tooth. Such a mistake can lead to the root fracture and other damages. The dentist should always choose the appropriate type of forceps according to the extracted tooth and its location. Second, the dentist should not apply too much pressure on the tooth with the forceps. It is reported that forceps should be used to lift the tooth on the loosened periodontal ligament. In other words, the dentist should use mouth elevators to widen the socket and loosen the periodontal membrane before using forceps. Using forceps without loosening the periodontal ligament can lead to various damages, including root and tissue bruising. The root fracture is also possible when applying too much pressure on the tooth. Another common mistake is related to incorrect forceps maintenance. The dentist should regularly check the instruments for any damage and use only undamaged forceps. The dentist should also follow the autoclaving guidelines to ensure the instruments’ sterilization. In general, a few common mistakes in using forceps can lead to serious complications.

FAQ

Q. Why there are so many different forceps?

A: There are different forceps for upper and lower, anterior and molar teeth. A few universal forceps are available to extract several teeth with one instrument. The variety of instruments allows to choose the one that fits a particular tooth, decreasing the risk of root fracture.

Q. What are the differences between American and English pattern forceps?

A: American pattern forceps have a box joint and horizontal hinge, to provide a good grip on the tooth during extraction. English pattern forceps (also called German pattern) have a screw joint, allowing to open the forceps wider for easier tooth engagement. The choice of an instrument depends on the dentist’s preference.

Q. How to correctly sterilize the forceps?

A: All the forceps must be cleaned and sterilized after each use to avoid any infection. The instruments can be placed in an autoclave (after removing all the debris and tissue fragments). It is necessary to grease the hinges with oil after sterilization to prevent them from breaking.

Q. What is a cow horn forceps used for?

A: Cow horn forceps have two pointed ends at the forceps beak to engage a tooth’s furcation. The cow horn forceps are used to extract the lower molar teeth, as the instrument can provide a firm grip on the two roots. Such forceps are suitable for use in case of the molar’s furcation involvement.

Q. Is there a particular type of forceps for children’s teeth?

A: Yes, there are pediatric forceps for extracting children’s teeth. The instruments have a smaller size, making them suitable for extracting primary (deciduous) teeth. All the forceps at DentMedHub can be used for treating children patients.

Q. Is it necessary to have many forceps for tooth extraction?

A: To some extent, yes. The dentist should have a complete set of instruments, including the one that fits the shape and location of every tooth. Though there are universal forceps, most dentists agree that the particular forceps allow to extract the tooth with ease, avoiding complications.

Conclusion

To sum up, a correct choice of forceps is essential for a successful and safe tooth extraction. A proper fit of forceps ensures a firm grip on the tooth, decreasing the risk of root fracture. All the dentist has to do is to use the correct technique of periodontal ligament loosening followed by tooth extraction to avoid any complications. A good set of forceps, offered by DentMedHub , can help to achieve great results in tooth extraction. Following the abovementioned guidelines, including proper forceps use and maintenance, will ensure a convenient experience for the dentist and a safe procedure for the patient.

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