The Right Forceps Makes Every Extraction Smoother
Dental extraction forceps are designed to grip and luxate a tooth out of its socket. The principle sounds straightforward, but in practice, using the wrong forceps for a given tooth leads to root fractures, socket wall fractures, and difficult post-extraction complications. Forceps are anatomically matched to specific tooth groups — upper vs lower, anterior vs posterior, deciduous vs permanent.
Fizza Surgical manufactures dental extraction forceps at our Sialkot facility, exporting to dental supply companies and hospital dental units across more than 50 countries. Here is a guide to the main patterns and which teeth they serve.
How Dental Extraction Forceps Are Named
Most dental forceps are named by a pattern number (such as No. 1, No. 150, No. 23 cowhorn) that corresponds to a specific design tradition. Different countries and manufacturers use slightly different numbering systems, but the anatomical match — upper/lower, anterior/posterior — is consistent across systems.
The two key design features that vary between patterns are:
- Beak angle: upper tooth forceps have beaks that point in the same direction as the handles (so the dentist pushes toward the tooth); lower tooth forceps have beaks perpendicular or at a significant angle to the handles (so the dentist pulls upward)
- Beak width and shape: narrow beaks for anterior teeth, wider contoured beaks for posterior teeth, and bifurcated (two-pronged) beaks for multi-rooted teeth
Upper (Maxillary) Extraction Forceps
No. 1 — Upper Anterior Forceps
Straight handles and beaks, narrow beak width. Used for upper incisors and upper canines. The straight design works because the upper anterior teeth sit nearly vertically in the arch and the extraction motion is a straight labial pressure with slight rotation.
No. 150 — Universal Upper Forceps
The most widely used upper forceps pattern. Works for upper premolars and the anatomical crown of upper molars in simple extractions. The curved beaks fit the buccal and palatal surfaces of upper posterior teeth. Found in virtually every dental extraction kit.
No. 67 — Upper Root Forceps
Narrow beaks designed specifically for grasping retained root tips in the upper arch. The fine beak profile allows the dentist to work below the gingival margin to grip root fragments that standard forceps cannot reach.
Upper Molar Forceps (No. 53 Left, No. 53 Right)
Upper molar forceps have one straight beak and one bifurcated beak — the bifurcated side grips the buccal bifurcation of upper molar roots. Left and right patterns are mirror images. Attempting to extract an upper molar with No. 150 risks root fracture because the straight beak cannot engage the root trunk properly on a three-rooted tooth.
Lower (Mandibular) Extraction Forceps
No. 151 — Universal Lower Forceps
The mandibular counterpart to No. 150. Works for lower incisors, canines, and premolars. The beaks are angled downward relative to the handle at roughly 90 degrees, which suits the upward extraction force applied to lower teeth.
No. 23 — Lower Molar Cowhorn Forceps
Immediately recognizable by its pointed, cowhorn-shaped beaks. These sharp beak tips engage the furcation between the mesial and distal roots of lower molars, providing a mechanical advantage that allows elevation of the tooth out of the socket. They require specific technique; incorrectly applied, cowhorn forceps fracture the furcation. In skilled hands, they are the fastest and most reliable lower molar extraction tool.
No. 16 — Lower Root and Premolar Forceps
Narrow, angled beaks for lower root tips and lower premolars. The beak angle allows subgingival engagement in the lower arch without the handles blocking visibility.
Deciduous (Primary) Tooth Forceps
Primary teeth have smaller, more fragile crowns and roots. Deciduous extraction forceps are scaled-down versions of adult patterns with narrower, lighter beaks. The No. 150S and No. 151S are the pediatric equivalents of the standard upper and lower universal forceps.
Comparison Table
| Forceps Pattern | Arch | Target Teeth | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Upper | Incisors, canine | Straight, narrow beaks |
| No. 150 | Upper | Universal upper | Curved beaks, versatile |
| No. 53 L/R | Upper | Upper molars | One bifurcated beak |
| No. 67 | Upper | Root tips | Very fine, narrow beaks |
| No. 151 | Lower | Universal lower | 90° beak angle |
| No. 23 Cowhorn | Lower | Lower molars | Pointed furcation-engaging beaks |
| No. 16 | Lower | Premolars, root tips | Angled narrow beaks |
Materials and Sterilization
Fizza Surgical dental extraction forceps are manufactured from 420-grade stainless steel with a satin finish. CE marked and ISO 13485:2016 compliant. All forceps are autoclavable and withstand standard 134°C sterilization cycles. OEM orders with custom branding start at 300 pieces per pattern.
Order Dental Extraction Forceps
Whether you need a complete dental extraction set or individual patterns for specific procedures, Fizza Surgical can supply with CE documentation and sampling before bulk commitment. Contact our team for a custom quotation.
Where We Serve
Fizza Surgical exports to 50+ countries. Browse our country-specific pages with local regulatory guidance and pricing:
