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Simple extraction tray

Also called: extraction setup, exo tray, oral surgery tray

Sterile setup for removing a tooth: loosen, lift out, clean the socket, control bleeding.

For a simple extraction, the gum is loosened from the tooth, elevators loosen the tooth, forceps lift it out, the socket is cleaned and any sharp bone smoothed, and gauze is placed for pressure. Stitches may be placed. Surgical instruments are critical items and must be sterile. Every office's tray list is a little different; this is a common example. Follow your office's tray card.

How to spot it

  1. Forceps and elevators in the middle, surgical suction tip and gauze at hand.

On the tray, in order

  1. 1. Mouth mirror, cotton pliers
  2. 2. Anesthetic setup
  3. 3. Periosteal elevator
  4. 4. Straight elevator (and others as needed)
  5. 5. Extraction forceps for the tooth (e.g., #150, #151, cowhorn)
  6. 6. Surgical curette
  7. 7. Rongeur and bone file
  8. 8. Hemostat
  9. 9. Irrigating syringe with sterile saline
  10. 10. Needle holder, suture and suture scissors
  11. 11. Surgical suction tip, bite block, 2x2 gauze

Safety and care

  1. Use one suction tip only for the surgical site and a different one for the throat area.
  2. Count and collect all sharps (blades, suture needles) before cleanup.
  3. Keep a gauze square at the back of the mouth as a throat screen when the dentist directs.

Related

Sources: Majid M. Oral Surgery Lec. 9+10: Basic surgical instruments. Al-Mustansiriyah University, Majid M. Oral Surgery Lec. 4: Elevators. Al-Mustansiriyah University, ProDent USA. Guide to Dental Extraction Forceps, Krenz L. Surgical Assisting and Sterile Set Up (CDA 201). Okanagan College, 2017, CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)