What Does a Dentist Use to Pull a Tooth? Complete Extraction Instrument Guide

Tooth extraction is one of the most common dental procedures performed worldwide. Despite being routine for the clinician, many patients have limited understanding of the instruments involved. For dental instrument distributors and wholesale buyers, knowing the complete instrument set used in a tooth extraction also clarifies which instruments should be bundled in a standard extraction kit. This guide covers every instrument a dentist uses to pull a tooth, from the anesthetic syringe to the suture needle.

Step 1: Local Anesthetic Instruments

Before any extraction, the dentist administers local anesthetic. The instruments used are a dental aspirating syringe, a needle (27-gauge short or long depending on the injection site), and the anesthetic cartridge. The aspirating syringe allows the clinician to confirm the needle is not in a blood vessel before injecting. Topical anesthetic gel is applied to the mucosa before needle insertion to reduce the sting of the injection.

Step 2: Luxating Instruments

Periotomes and Luxators

Before forceps are applied, the dentist uses a periotome or luxator to sever the periodontal ligament fibers around the tooth. A periotome has a very thin, flat blade that is inserted into the periodontal ligament space and worked around the tooth. A luxator has a curved, sharper blade that cuts the ligament while simultaneously beginning to expand the socket. Both instruments reduce the force required for forceps extraction and minimize alveolar bone trauma.

Dental Elevators

After the ligament is loosened with the luxator, dental elevators are used to further loosen the tooth. Straight elevators (such as the No. 301) are placed in the interproximal space and rotated to apply buccal pressure. Cryer elevators handle root tips and molar fragments. For a complete guide to elevator types, see our article on dental elevator types.

Step 3: Extraction Forceps

Extraction forceps are the primary instrument for gripping and removing the tooth. The choice of forceps depends on which tooth is being extracted. Upper teeth are removed with maxillary forceps (such as the No. 150 for anteriors and premolars, or the 53R/53L for molars). Lower teeth use mandibular forceps (No. 151 for anteriors and premolars, cowhorn No. 16 or No. 23 for molars). See our complete dental forceps chart for all numbers and applications.

Step 4: Surgical Instruments (When Needed)

Surgical Handpiece and Bur

For surgical extractions -- where the tooth is impacted, fractured below the gumline, or has curved roots -- a surgical handpiece with a surgical bur is used to section the tooth or remove alveolar bone. Tooth sectioning splits multi-rooted teeth into individual roots for easier removal.

Tissue Retractors and Periosteal Elevators

Periosteal elevators (such as the Molt No. 9) reflect the mucoperiosteal flap when a surgical incision is required. Minnesota retractors and cheek retractors maintain visibility during surgical procedures.

Step 5: Socket Management Instruments

Bone Rongeurs and Files

After extraction, sharp bone edges in the socket are smoothed with bone rongeurs (cutting forceps) or bone files. This prevents post-operative discomfort from sharp alveolar crests pressing against the healing mucosa.

Curettes for Socket Debridement

Lucas curettes or surgical curettes remove the dental follicle, granulation tissue, and debris from the extraction socket to ensure clean healing and reduce the risk of dry socket (alveolar osteitis).

Step 6: Suturing Instruments

When a surgical flap was raised, or when primary closure is needed after a simple extraction, the clinician sutures with a needle holder, tissue forceps (such as Adson or College tweezers), and suture scissors. Suture materials for dental extraction include 3-0 or 4-0 resorbable sutures (polyglycolic acid or chromic gut) and non-resorbable silk sutures.

Complete Extraction Instrument List for Wholesale Kit Building

Wholesale Extraction Instruments from Sialkot Pakistan

Pintech Instruments manufactures the complete range of extraction instruments -- periotomes, luxators, elevators, forceps, periosteal elevators, and suturing instruments -- at our ISO 13485 certified Sialkot facility. All instruments are available as individual pieces or assembled extraction kit configurations with FOB Sialkot pricing. CE documentation available for EU importers.

Browse our dental instruments range or request an extraction kit configuration quote.