Minimally invasive extractions with physics forceps – clinical evaluation and comparison

Introduction : Tooth extraction is still one of the most common dental procedures, routinely performed for a variety of reasons. Tooth extraction forceps and elevators are well-known extraction instruments which have been the standard in tooth extraction procedures for well over a hundred years. Physics forceps are one possible alternative, aiming to perform less traumatic and more predictable extractions. Aim : The aim of study was to compare the effectiveness of physics forceps as an alternative, less traumatic, tool to the conventional extraction forceps. Materials and methods : All patients in the study were split into two groups: 26 patients in whom conventional extraction forceps were used (a control group) and 28 patients in whom we used physics forceps (a study group). For each group, we assessed the success of the extraction, the buccal cortical plate preservation, pain experience, and early wound healing. Results : There was no statistically significant difference in extraction success scores between the two groups. Physics forceps extractions preserved the buccal cortical plate in 81.1% of instances, while traditional forceps extractions did so in 71.8%. The patients in the study group reported less pain on the seventh day. At 10 days, the study group had a marginally higher proportion of completely healed extraction wounds. Conclusions : Atraumatic extractions preserve more hard and soft tissues at the extraction site. Physics forceps are a tool similar to the well-known conventional extraction forceps. They provide for somewhat better results in most extractions.