Assessment of Intraoperative Complications Associated with Extraction Technique Using Physics Forceps and the Conventional Method: A Split-mouth Comparative Study

Abstract

Tooth extraction is one of the most frequently performed surgeries, and several instruments were invented throughout history. This study's purpose is to assess the efficacy of physics forceps in comparison to conventional tooth extraction forceps in bilateral dental extraction and their associated intraoperative complications, including crown fracture, root fracture, buccal cortical plate fracture (BCPF), gingival lacerations, and bleeding time. All participants (n = 20) and total extractions (n = 40) were randomly assigned within two groups. Teeth were extracted utilizing physics forceps on one side of the maxillary or mandibular quadrants (n = 20) and conventional forceps on the other side (n = 20). Clinical data were gathered and analyzed. The findings show none of the patients in any of the groups had a crown fracture, however, the occurrence of roots and buccal cortical plate fractures were higher within control group. The incidence of gingival lacerations was seven times (35 %) in the study group and eight times (40 %) in the control group. Bleeding time in control group was longer than that in the study group (P value = 0.022) with a moderate effect size (ES = 0.676). In this study, buccal traumatic ulcer formation was observed in 5 cases (25 %) in study group due to excessive pressure application on the buccal soft tissue. In conclusion, physics forceps provide clinical outcomes comparable to conventional forceps and could be used for routine exodontia.