Mandibular Molars There are several popular extraction forceps for the mandibular molars, including the #15, #16, #17, #217, and #222.
FORCEPS #15. - Forceps #15 are used to remove mandibular first and second molars. The beaks have concave inner surfaces with pointed projection on the tips. These forceps work well in grasping the crown with the two projecting tips extending to the bifurcation between the two roots on mandibular third molars. The left handle on the #15 has a finger rest.
FORCEPS #16. - Forceps #16 are used to remove mandibular molars. The #16 forceps are nicknamed mandibular cowhorns when they are open. The left handle on the #16 has a finger rest.
FORCEPS #17. - Forceps #17, like the #15 and #16 forceps, are used on lower first and second molars. The beaks of the #17 forceps are similar to the beaks of the #15 forceps; however, the handle of the #17 is straight.
FORCEPS #217. - Forceps #217 are used to remove mandibular second and third molars (fig. 5-41). The beaks have inner concave surfaces and pointed projections much like those of the #15 forceps. The handles have a slight curvature and resemble those of the #151 forceps.
FORCEPS #222. - Forceps #222 are used on mandibular third molars. The beaks on the #222 forceps are rounded with concave inner surfaces, and angle sharply from the handle (fig. 5-42).
Figure 5-41. - Forceps #217.
Figure 5-42. - Forceps #222.
HAWKBILL-TYPE FORCEPS. - There are three hawkbill-type forceps: the Mead #MD3, the #13, and the #22 (fig. 5-43). The Mead #3 forceps are used on mandibular anteriors and bicuspids, the #13 forceps are used on mandibular first, second bicuspids, and the #22 forceps on mandibular first, second, and third molars. The beaks are perpendicular to the working action of the handles. This design gives the dentist a great deal of leverage with minimum effort. The major difference between these forceps is the width of the beaks, because they are used to remove different teeth.
FORCEPS #101. - Forceps #101 are used to remove both maxillary and mandibular cuspids, bicuspids, and any remaining roots (fig. 5-44).
PEDIATRIC FORCEPS #150S AND #151S - The pediatric forceps #150S is used to remove maxillary deciduous teeth and is a scaled down version of the #150. The #151S, a smaller version of the 151, is used to remove mandibular deciduous teeth. Both forceps are shown in figure 5-45.
Instrument exchange between the dentist and assistant takes place in the transfer zone near the 5-17