Consultants’ Comments

• “What an improvement over conventional forceps. I believe dentistry has been waiting for this advancement!”
• “I feel this is a more patient-friendly way of removing teeth – especially those with single roots.”
• “The patient is less nervous during the extraction because they feel less pressure.”
• “There is a learning curve and the technique is different than conventional extraction procedures.”
• “Handles are very wide – difficult for dentists with small hands.”

Description

Physics Forceps are instruments designed for achieving atraumatic extractions simply, predictably, and non-surgically by employing an efficient first-class lever. The instruments have a beak and a bumper rather than two beaks and provide only one point of contact on the tooth. The first force is applied with the beak on the lingual aspect of the tooth or root. The second force is applied via the “bumper” which is placed on the alveolar ridge at the approximate location of the mucogingival junction. The handles of the Physics Forceps are not squeezed, just held, and a gentle but steady rotational force is applied through a small amount of wrist movement only‚Äîabout 3¬∞-4¬∞ of rotational force. The constant, steady pressure in this position creates an element of “creep” which allows the bone to slowly expand and the PDL to release. Once this occurs, the tooth disengages and will rise approximately 1-2mm occlusally. The forceps can extract most teeth, except third molars. The set contains four forceps (upper right, upper left, upper anterior and universal lower) with 24 bumper guards, a training DVD, instructions and a typodont for practice. The Physics Forceps were evaluated by 20 clinical consultants in 362 uses. This product received an 84% clinical rating.

Product Features

The instructions for the Physics Forceps were highly rated, and consultants considered the training DVD to be mandatory for proper use of these instruments. Consultants unanimously agreed that there was a steep learning curve to using these forceps with a technique that was very different from that to which they were accustomed. Some consultants who overcame this challenge found the Physics Forceps to be a great asset in performing extractions. Others were not as successful, and even after numerous uses found the technique useful only in “easy” extraction cases. While the concept was well accepted, many practitioners reported that their current technique was effective and efficient and did not see a need to learn a new method or add specialized instruments to their armamentarium. Consultants reported occasional damage to the buccal plate. Thirty-five percent of consultants reported that the Physics Forceps performed at the same level as their current technique and 25% reported the instrument was better than their currently used extraction technique. Overall, 10% of consultants would switch and 55% would recommend the Physics Forceps to their colleagues.

Clinical Tips

• Watch the training DVD several times.
• Start on easier cases, such as anteriors; use less force than you would with traditional forceps.
• Wrist action is critical. Fine motor skills are required to apply proper force atraumatically.
• Don’t squeeze the handles.
• Section long, very curved or multiple-rooted teeth.