Tooth extractions are never one-size-fits-all. A firm upper premolar, a bifurcated lower molar and a fractured root each ask for a different beak, a different angle and a different amount of grip. ErgoDenta’s dental extraction forceps range is built so that whatever the case, the right instrument is already in your cassette.
This guide walks through the whole range — the tooth-by-tooth chart, the Standard and Diamond EX-Forceps, the GripMaster series, child and junior forceps and the ready-made kits — so you can build or complete an extraction set without guesswork.
TL;DR
Ten Fig. patterns cover every adult tooth: 1, 7, 17, 18, 67A for the upper arch and 13, 22, 33A, 79, 51A for the lower arch and roots. Choose Standard for routine work, Diamond when the tooth is wet, fragile or broken down, GripMaster when you need maximum hold with minimum squeeze, and the Child / Junior series for primary and mixed dentition. All are available as single instruments or 10-piece kits.
The everyday forceps kit in 60 seconds
Extraction forceps by tooth — the ErgoDenta Fig. chart
ErgoDenta uses the European Fig. numbering for extraction forceps. The article number tells you the series and the pattern: 5005- is the Standard series, 5025- the Diamond series, and the number after the dash is the Fig. pattern. Use the chart to find the forceps for the tooth in front of you; every code links to its product page.
| Tooth | Arch | Standard (5005) | Diamond (5025) | Closest US pattern* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incisors & canines | Upper | Fig. 15005-1 | Fig. 15025-1 | #150 / #1 | Straight beaks; the first upper forceps in every kit |
| Anterior teeth (fine beaks) | Upper | — | Fig. 295025-29 | #150S | Slim pattern for narrow crowns; 5025-30S is the smaller variant |
| Premolars | Upper | Fig. 75005-7 | Fig. 75025-7 | #150A | Slightly curved beaks adapt to the premolar neck |
| 1st & 2nd molars, right | Upper | Fig. 175005-17 | Fig. 175025-17 | #18R | Pointed buccal beak sits between the two buccal roots |
| 1st & 2nd molars, left | Upper | Fig. 185005-18 | Fig. 185025-18 | #18L | Mirror image of Fig. 17 |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | Upper | Fig. 67A5005-67A | Fig. 67A5025-67A | #210S | Bayonet shape reaches the tuberosity with limited opening |
| Roots & fragments | Upper | Fig. 51A5005-51A | Fig. 51A5025-51A | #65 / #69 | Bayonet root forceps; Diamond series adds Fig. 41, 46, 97, 144 and 98 Witzel |
| Universal roots | Upper | Fig. OK5005-OK | — | #69 | One pattern for most upper root cases |
| Incisors, premolars & roots | Lower | Fig. 33A5005-33A | Fig. 33A5025-33A | #151S | Narrow beaks for lower anteriors and retained roots |
| Premolars & molars | Lower | Fig. 135005-13 | Fig. 135025-13 | #151 | The lower workhorse; covers most routine lower extractions |
| Molars (crown intact) | Lower | Fig. 225005-22 | Fig. 225025-22 | #17 | Beaks meet on the crown; pair with Fig. 87 for large molars |
| Molars (bifurcated roots) | Lower | Fig. 86A5005-86A | Fig. 86A5025-86A | #23 cowhorn / #16 | Cowhorn pattern; Diamond series adds Fig. 86, 86B and 99 Hertz |
| Molars, right / left | Lower | Fig. 235005-23 Fig. 245005-24 | — | #17R / #17L | Side-specific molar forceps |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | Lower | Fig. 795005-79 | Fig. 795025-79 | #222 | Curved, narrow beaks for the retromolar area |
| Roots & fragments | Lower | Fig. UK5005-UK | Fig. 74N5025-74N | #44 / #74N | Fine root beaks; use after crown removal |
* Closest American pattern for orientation only — beak geometry differs between traditions. For the full #150 / #151 / #18R system, read Universal Extraction Forceps Numbering Decoded; for beak anatomy and how patterns are designed, see the Extraction Forceps Numbering Guide.
1. Standard EX-Forceps — the everyday range
Standard Extraction Forceps are the classic surgical stainless-steel instruments for routine extractions. Each Fig. pattern is forged with anatomically shaped beaks that seat below the cemento-enamel junction, a precise hinge, and the ErgoDenta handle profile that keeps the wrist neutral during rotation and luxation.
Upper arch: Fig. 1 (incisors & canines), Fig. 7 (premolars), Fig. 17 / 18 (molars right / left), Fig. 67A (wisdom teeth), Fig. 51A and OK (roots).
Lower arch: Fig. 33A (incisors, premolars, roots), Fig. 13 (premolars & molars), Fig. 22, 86A, 87, 23 / 24 (molars), Fig. 79 (wisdom teeth), UK (roots).
Seventeen Standard patterns are available individually — browse the complete Standard series — or as the 10-piece Standard Extraction Forceps Kit in a sterilisation cassette.
2. Diamond EX-Forceps — grip where it matters
The Diamond Extraction Forceps share the Standard patterns but add serrated beaks coated in fine diamond grit. On a wet, carious or endodontically treated tooth the coating bites into the surface, so the forceps hold securely without the crushing pressure that fractures crowns and roots.
The practical difference: less squeeze force, fewer slips, and more controlled rotation — which is why many clinicians move their most-used figures (1, 13, 17/18, 22) to the Diamond series first.
The Diamond series is also the widest: 22 patterns including extra root forceps (Fig. 41, 46, 97, 144, 98 Witzel, 74N), the Fig. 29 and 30S anterior patterns and the Fig. 86, 86B and 99 Hertz lower-molar cowhorns.
See all Diamond EX-Forceps or order the 10-piece Diamond Extraction Forceps Kit, supplied with its own cassette.
3. GripMaster Forceps — maximum grip, minimal pressure
For extractions that demand extra control, the GripMaster series combines diamond-coated beaks with a wider, anatomically contoured beak profile and a balanced handle. The result is a forceps that holds a fractured, fragile or slippery tooth firmly while you apply far less hand force — a real advantage in atraumatic and implant-site extractions.
Eight patterns cover both arches: Upper & Lower Universal, Upper & Lower Anterior, Upper & Lower Molar and Upper & Lower Spade Root.
Read the dedicated article Grip Master Extraction Forceps for technique tips, or pair them with luxators and periotomes from the Atraumatic Extraction Toolkit.
4. Child and Junior EX-Forceps — smaller instruments for smaller patients
Primary teeth have short, divergent roots and thin enamel, and a child’s mouth leaves little room for adult beaks. ErgoDenta’s Child Extraction Forceps are scaled accordingly, with the same steel, hinge quality and ergonomic handle as the adult range.
Child EX-Forceps (Standard and Diamond)
Seven patterns cover the primary dentition: Fig. 137 (upper incisors), Fig. 139 (upper premolars), Fig. 3 (upper molars), Fig. 51S (upper roots), Fig. 5 (lower incisors), Fig. 6 (lower molars) and Fig. 7 (lower roots). Each is available in Standard and in a Diamond Child version.
Junior EX-Forceps
Sized between child and adult, the Junior series suits teenagers, mixed dentition and adults with limited opening: Fig. 7K (upper molars & incisors), Fig. 37 (upper incisors), Fig. 13K (lower premolars), Fig. 22K (lower molars) and Fig. 38 (lower incisors & canines).
5. Extraction forceps kits — one cassette, every tooth
If you are equipping a new surgery or a new clinic, a kit is the fastest way to cover the arch. Each ErgoDenta kit is supplied non-sterile in a sterilisation cassette, so the set stays together from tray to autoclave. (For a full new-clinic shopping list, see our instrument checklist.)
| Kit | Contents | Patterns | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Extraction Forceps Kit5005 | 10 forceps | Fig. 1, 7, 13, 17, 18, 22, 33A, 51A, 67A, 79 | General practice; every adult tooth in one cassette |
| Diamond Extraction Forceps Kit5025 | 10 forceps + cassette | Same ten patterns, diamond-coated | Surgeons and practices doing difficult or high-volume extractions |
| Pediatric Extraction Forceps Kit5010 | 7 forceps | Fig. 3, 5, 6, 7, 51S, 137, 139 | Paediatric and family practices |
| Diamond Child Extraction Forceps Kit5020 | 7 forceps | Same seven patterns, diamond-coated | Paediatric surgery; fragile primary teeth |
How to choose: matching the forceps to the case
- Intact crown, routine extraction → the Standard Fig. pattern for that tooth (chart above). Fig. 1, 7, 13 and 22 handle most of a general practice week.
- Wet field, caries, short or fragile crown → the same Fig. in the Diamond series; the grit holds without extra squeeze.
- Bifurcated lower molar → a cowhorn (Fig. 86A / 86 / 86B): the beaks engage the furcation and lift with leverage instead of grip.
- Fractured tooth or root remnant → root patterns (Fig. 51A, 41, 46, 97, 144 upper; 33A, 74N, UK lower) and, before the forceps, a luxator or root elevator from the Elevators range.
- Implant site or atraumatic protocol → GripMaster with periotomes and luxating elevators (how to combine them), then a bone file to smooth the socket (bone files & rongeurs).
- Children and small mouths → Child Fig. 3–139 or the Junior K-patterns.
Care and compliance. All ErgoDenta extraction forceps are surgical-grade stainless steel, fully autoclavable in standard cycles, CE-marked under EU MDR 2017/745 and manufactured under ISO 13485; ErgoDenta is also FDA registered. Distributors will find the documentation checklist in our EU MDR guide.
Feel the difference
Comfort matters when you hold an instrument all day, and that is where these forceps stand out: balanced in the hand, a handle that keeps the wrist neutral, and beaks that do the gripping so your fingers don’t have to. Simple, reliable and made for everyday use — that is the ErgoDenta difference. Explore the complete Extraction Forceps collection or the wider Extraction range with elevators, luxators and root-tip picks.
The numbering system in one paragraph
Most modern catalogues use the American (Harris) numbering for general dental forceps. Numbers under 100 typically refer to specialist or older patterns (e.g., #23 cowhorn, #44 root). Numbers 150–151 are the universal upper/lower forceps used worldwide. Numbers 16, 17, 18R, 18L, 88R, 88L, 222 are tooth-specific molar forceps. R/L means right/left for molars. S often means small (children).
The most-used numbers — grouped by what you're extracting
- Upper anterior teeth (incisors, canines) → #1, #150, #150S (small)
- Upper premolars → #150, #150A
- Upper molars (right side) → #18R, #88R, #210S (root)
- Upper molars (left side) → #18L, #88L
- Lower anteriors → #151, #151S
- Lower premolars → #151, #151A
- Lower molars → #16 (cowhorn), #17, #222
- Lower molar roots → #44, #45 (root tips)
- Cowhorns (split-root molars) → #23 (lower), #88R/L (upper)
Number → tooth — quick translation table
| Number | Arch | Tooth(s) | Beak shape | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Upper | Anterior incisors | Straight, narrow | Older pattern; #150 has replaced it in most kits |
| #150 | Upper | Anteriors + premolars | Straight, universal | The most-used upper forceps worldwide |
| #150A | Upper | Premolars (specifically) | Curved beaks | Better adaptation than #150 on premolars |
| #151 | Lower | Anteriors + premolars | Curved-on-flat universal | The lower equivalent of #150 |
| #16 | Lower | Molars (cowhorn) | Pointed cowhorn | Splits roots — needs intact crown |
| #17 | Lower | Molars | Beaks meet, not pointed | Use when crown is intact |
| #18R / #18L | Upper | 1st & 2nd molars (R/L) | One pointed beak (buccal) | Pointed beak goes between buccal roots |
| #23 | Lower | Molars (cowhorn) | Cowhorn, lower-specific | Most popular lower molar cowhorn |
| #44 | Lower | Roots / fragments | Narrow, fine | Root tips after crown removal |
| #88R / #88L | Upper | Molars (cowhorn) | Cowhorn, upper-specific | For split upper molar roots |
| #222 | Lower | 3rd molars (wisdom) | Curved, narrow | Adapted for limited mouth opening |
How to build a complete extraction kit (without overstocking)
For a general practice doing routine extractions, this 7-piece kit covers ~95% of cases:
- #150 — upper universal
- #151 — lower universal
- #18R + #18L — upper molars
- #23 — lower molar cowhorn
- #88R or #88L — at least one upper cowhorn
- #44 — root tips
For oral surgery practices, add #222 (third molars) and a fragment forceps. For paediatric practices, add the S (small) versions of #150 and #151.
What the suffixes mean
- S → Small (paediatric or limited mouth opening)
- R / L → Right / Left (specific to molars only)
- A → Variant pattern (often premolar-specific)
- K → Kornberg / Königsberg pattern (German design heritage)
How the numbering system works
Extraction forceps figure numbers are assigned by tooth position and beak geometry. The system is not strictly logical — it accreted over a century of catalogues — but a small set of rules covers most of the range:
- Figs. in the 1–10 range — typically upper anteriors and premolars (Fig. 1 = upper central incisor, Fig. 7 = upper canine, Fig. 17 = upper molars).
- Figs. 13, 22, 23 — lower molars. Fig. 22 has a smooth beak; Fig. 23 has the characteristic "cowhorn" pointed beak that engages the bifurcation.
- Fig. 17 — upper molars (paired left/right because of the buccal root divergence).
- Fig. 79N / 79 — lower third molars (impacted or erupted).
- Fig. 151 — universal lower premolars / canines / incisors.
- Figs. 137, 139, 138 — child / pediatric extraction forceps for primary dentition.
Tooth-by-tooth quick reference
Upper jaw
ErgoDenta upper-jaw extraction forceps — Fig. 1 (upper incisors), Fig. 7 (premolars), Fig. 17/18 (molars right/left), Fig. 67 (wisdom), Fig. 51A (roots).
- Upper centrals & laterals — Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 99C
- Upper canines & premolars — Fig. 7, Fig. 7A
- Upper molars right — Fig. 17R (or Fig. 18R)
- Upper molars left — Fig. 17L (or Fig. 18L)
- Upper third molars — Fig. 67
- Upper roots — Fig. 51, Fig. 51A
Lower jaw
ErgoDenta lower-jaw extraction forceps — Fig. 13 (premolars), Fig. 22 (molars), Fig. 23 (cowhorn), Fig. 79 (wisdom), Fig. 33A (anteriors/roots).
- Lower incisors / premolars / canines — Fig. 151 (universal lower)
- Lower molars (smooth beak) — Fig. 22, Fig. 73
- Lower molars (cowhorn) — Fig. 23 — beaks engage the bifurcation directly
- Lower third molars — Fig. 79, Fig. 79N
- Lower roots — Fig. 33, Fig. 33A, Fig. 74
Adult vs Junior vs Child forceps
Pre-built kits for general practice and paediatric work — Standard 10-piece, Diamond 10-piece, Child 7-piece kits.
ErgoDenta carries three size scales:
- Adult (full-size) — standard surgical forceps for permanent dentition. Larger handle, wider beak engagement.
- Junior (e.g. Fig. 13K, Fig. 22K, Fig. 37K) — slightly smaller forceps for adolescent permanent dentition or smaller adult anatomies.
- Child (e.g. Fig. 137, 139) — pediatric forceps for primary dentition. Shorter handle, smaller beak, finer geometry to engage primary tooth crowns without crushing.
The Diamond Extraction Forceps line offers an additional grade of beak engagement with diamond-coated beaks for improved grip on root surfaces — particularly useful for retained roots and broken-down crowns.
Chapter 4Cowhorn (Fig. 23) — the special case
Cowhorn forceps — Fig. 23 (right) and Fig. 24 (left) for split lower molar roots.
Fig. 23 is the most distinctive forceps in the entire numbering system. The beaks come to a sharp point designed to engage the bifurcation of a lower first or second molar. Inserted into the bifurcation, the closing pressure of the handle generates upward force on the crown and outward force on the roots, often delivering a deeply embedded molar with relatively little operator effort.
Risks: the pointed beak can fracture the buccal plate if force is applied before the PDL has been adequately luxated. Use only after thorough luxation with a luxator or elevator, and only on lower molars with sound bifurcations (not on primary teeth or hypoplastic roots).
Chapter 5Choosing your starter set
For a general practice, the starter 10-piece adult kit covers most extractions:
- Fig. 1 — upper centrals
- Fig. 7 — upper canines / premolars
- Fig. 17R — upper right molars
- Fig. 17L — upper left molars
- Fig. 51 — upper roots
- Fig. 151 — universal lower
- Fig. 22 — lower molars (smooth)
- Fig. 23 — lower molars (cowhorn)
- Fig. 79N — lower third molars
- Fig. 33 — lower roots
Pediatric / mixed dentition practices add the 7-piece child kit (Fig. 137, 138, 139, etc.) on top.
At a glanceFrequently asked questions
Which extraction forceps do I need for each tooth?
What is the difference between Standard and Diamond EX-Forceps?
When should I choose diamond-coated extraction forceps?
What are GripMaster forceps?
Do you have extraction forceps for children?
Is it better to buy a kit or individual forceps?
How do ErgoDenta Fig. numbers relate to American #150, #151 and #18R?
Are ErgoDenta extraction forceps autoclavable and CE-marked?
Equip every extraction with ErgoDenta
Standard, Diamond, GripMaster and Child forceps — 3,300+ ergonomic instruments, CE-marked and shipped from Denmark.
