When to Use Dental Retractor？

Retractors used in oral surgery or dental surgery are primarily involved in moving tissue away from the surgical site to improve both visibility and access. They are also used to move buccal tissue away from the site.

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Some retractors are used to retract the palate to provide access to the posterior portion of the oral cavity

And they can provide an unimpeded pathway for removing foreign bodies or teeth from the oral cavity.

Light is a common concern for oral surgery. This is true of any surgery, but the mouth itself is a limited area and light must be able to flexibly shine on the target area. Retractors play a big part in this. Here we’ll cover the main retractors used in oral and dental surgery, with some newer tech that really helps.

Austin retractor

The Austin retractor, Austin cheek retractor, or Austin tissue retractor is a right-angled retractor with a semilunar indentation at the working end, which either has a blunt blade or two prongs. It’s a simple, metal device.

This retractor is used to retract soft tissue flaps after incision away from the tooth. Modifications in the Austin retractor allow some versatility so that it can even be used in surgeries on the posterior oral cavity.

A disadvantage of the Austin retractor is its tendency to cause bleeding in friable tissues (those that team more easily) if excessive force is used. The sharp tip of the pronged variety of the Austin retractor is also prone to cause bleeding if mispositioned.

Since the Austin retractor is used to enable the sight of deep tissues, one limitation is the need to constantly adjust its angle to accommodate the light source. Only can it give allow adequate light and visualization. This deficit can be overcome by using a retractor that has its own light source at the tip of the working end.

A self-contained light source ensures adequate visualization without the need for excessive manipulation of soft tissue to accommodate that source. Our lightweight koplight™ retractor, made of a plastic polymer and with a battery-powered LED light source offers a potential solution here. The detachable blades come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate the surgeon’s or dentist’s needs.

Self-retaining retractors

As the name implies, self-retaining retractors keep themselves open, without the need for human force. For oral surgeries, this is a key feature as there is limited space and the assistant may be busy with suction, arranging instruments, etc. Oral surgeries are crowded, and a self-retaining retractor can help. It saves space and reduces fatigue.

Dingman retractor

A common self-retaining retractor used in oral surgeries is the modified Dingman mouth retractor. This retractor is used with cleft palate and other intraoral surgeries. It’s a self-retaining retractor with a set of parallel blunt blades facing laterally. The blades retract the buccal mucosa away from each other.

Some variations of the Dingman retractor are equipped with a light source and a fiber-optic camera for easier visualization. A disadvantage of this retractor is the lack of versatility – once the retractor has been put in place, it can’t be moved freely.

This retractor can’t be used to visualize deep structures and is not fit for use in surgeries involving the posterior oral cavity.

Palate retractors

A soft palate retractor has a butterfly-shaped tip with a central notch to prevent the uvula from slipping from side to side.

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The purpose of the soft palate retractor is to pull the soft palate superiorly to expose the nasopharynx. This retractor is commonly used in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The limitation of this retractor is the lack of versatility because it has a singular purpose; which is to retract the soft palate and hold the uvula in place.

Latrobe retractor

The Latrobe is one type of soft palate retractor. It’s shaped at a right angle with the blunt working end bent at an angle.

The angle at the working end is designed to hold the uvula in place at the right angle, and the blunt tip is designed to retract the soft palate superiorly. This allows access to the posterior portion of the oral cavity.

This retractor is used in adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and extracting tonsilloliths. A disadvantage of this retractor is the consistent traction that’s needed for it to be effective. A small number of case reports have also surfaced regarding damage to the soft tissues of the superior portion of the oral cavity during its use.

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Let's admit it. If you're not a dental expert, the sight of someone with cheek retractors on looks scary.If you, too, have been intimidated by this tool, here’s all that you need to know about it.

What Is An Orthodontic Cheek Retractor?

Despite its appearance, cheek retractor devices do not inflict pain; they help prevent injuries.They play an essential role in day-to-day dental procedures and almost every orthodontic patient undergoing a dental procedure has had to wear them.

Lip and cheek retractors come in several designs and are usually made out of metal or bendable plastic. Theta are used to spread lips and cheeks apart and hold them in that place to observe and perform on teeth with greater accessibility and precision.

Many dental procedures involving implants, extractions, braces, etc., require cheek retractors.

Some at-home whitening kits come with ‘C-shaped’ teeth retractors. The purpose is to protect the delicate skin of the mouth from coming into contact with bleaching agents designed for teeth.

At-home teeth straightening plans may also come with cheek retracting devices to enable you to take clear pictures of your teeth and keep track of your progress.

How To Use A Cheek Retractor

If you are intimated on how to use a C-shaped cheek retractor for your mouth, worry not, you don’t need a dentist’s supervision. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be a pro in no time.

• Breathe and relax; it is simple, won’t hurt, and no one will take a picture of you with a cheek retractor on.
• Preferably, sit in front of a mirror to get a better view for observation.
• Make sure you have a clean ortho retractor as well as washed hands.
• Hold the cheek retractor against your mouth so that the large ears are facing outwards.
• Gently bend the retractor like you would bend a pair of tongs to pick up fruit.
• Insert one edge of your cheek in one side of the retractor, and keeping it bent position, gently insert the second side too.
• Gradually release the pressure on your hold so the ‘tong’ can open as needed.
• Practice as many times as you need to get comfortable with the process.

Mistakes To Avoid

There aren’t many ways you can go wrong with a harmless at-home teeth retractor, but keep in mind the following points to be on the safer side.

• There is no need to apply excessive force to pull cheeks apart.
• If the process is painful, bend the retractor a few times to make it more flexible. If pain persists, check with your dental care provider.
• Avoid incorrect placement and make use of the mirror.
• Avoid talking with your cheek retractors on; it saves your lips from undue pressure.
• Once done, keep them away from the reach of kids.
• Make sure the edges of your retractor are smooth.
• Always use clean retractors, give them a rinse with water and soap before every use.
• Your mouth will naturally begin to salivate once you have the teeth retractors on. So take them off, when needed to avoid choking.

If you are using a teeth retractor is important in your teeth aligning journey. It helps you take clear pictures and monitor your alignment journey. It also gives you a clearer, hands-free view of your teeth layout to inspect them properly for any concerns.

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