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Extraction forceps #150 (upper universal)
Also called: 150 forceps, maxillary universal forceps
Forceps with a bent head that grip and remove upper teeth, mainly front teeth and premolars.
Extraction forceps grip a tooth at the root so the dentist can rock it out. The #150 is the maxillary (upper) universal: its beaks are angled so it reaches upper teeth from the front. It is used mostly for upper incisors, canines and premolars.
How to spot it
- Handles and beaks form a gentle S-curve when viewed from the side.
- #150 vs. #151: the #150 head is bent so it works upward; the #151 beaks are bent down at a sharp angle for lower teeth.
What it is used for
- Removing upper anterior teeth and premolars.
Safety and care
- Critical item (it goes into soft tissue or touches bone): clean it, package it and heat-sterilize it after every patient.
Related
Sources: ProDent USA. Guide to Dental Extraction Forceps, CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)