Dental Retractor for Periodontics & Surgery

The main purpose of a dental mouth retractor is to keep the soft tissue away from the teeth. This allows the dentist to work easily because of the better visibility they are afforded. When trying to insert tools and reach the target area, it is also easier when other parts of the mouth, such as the tongue and cheeks, are kept out of the way. 

However, this all depends on how well the dentist can place the retractor in the patient's mouth. This is something that requires training and a lot of practice to master.

When performing an intricate surgery, a dentist needs all the help he can get to ensure that the process goes smoothly, and a retractor is just one of the ways of doing this. As such, using a dental retractor can provide the following advantages:

• Keeps soft tissue out of the way
• Maintains a clear line of sight to the work area
• Provides more freedom of movement
• Protects the patient’s vital organs during surgery
• Gives the dentist more freedom to work

In dentistry, you can come across either hand-held or self-retaining retractors. Both are capable of doing a great job if used correctly. However, a certain level of skill is often required, which means dentists may need some training.

A hand-held retractor often requires continuous manipulation throughout the procedure, which can be difficult but offers a lot more freedom. On the other hand, a self-retaining retractor will stay in place on its own, which frees up the hand for other tasks. However, this often means changing the retractor’s angle may be a bit awkward.

In the end, each dentist can choose whatever retractor suits them best depending on the type of procedure they are doing and whatever feels most comfortable.

A dental retractor is one of the most useful instruments that a dentist has. As such, choosing the right one is very important. If you are planning on getting one for your practice, consider the following:

• Quality
• Hand-held vs self-retaining
• Price
• Ergonomics
• Precision required
• Compliance
• Dental specialization

When it comes to quality, that is one area that you need to consider very carefully. Some suppliers sell low-quality retractors that do not last long. Visit WholeDent and get access to some of the best retractors on the market.