Louis Malcmacher DDS MAGD Printer Friendly Version

Making Extractions Fun… and Profitable?

Extractions definitely are not on the “Top 10” list of procedures many dentists like to do.  Most dentists usually start to panic when we see an extraction on the schedule.  Oftentimes, we are uncomfortable performing extractions or refer them out because they can be challenging and unpredictable.  We have all experienced the “snapping” sound of a fractured root tip or having to dig around to get the tooth out. These challenges make extractions unprofitable, disruptive to the treatment schedule, and stressful for our patients and for us. 

As I travel around the country and talk to dentists, many of us are no longer referring out certain procedures we normally would because we want to keep as much of the production as we can. With over 20 million teeth extracted each year in North America, more and more general dentists are extracting teeth again.  The problem is, we do not find extracting teeth to be fun because of the unpredictability, and one broken root tip can ruin our production for the entire day.  

Just over two years ago I was introduced to a revolutionary new concept in exodontia - the Physics Forceps from GOLDEN|MISCH that solves the problems we encounter when extracting teeth. The Physics Forceps are a set of instruments for extracting teeth atraumatically, in a predictable, fast and better manner than with our conventional armamentarium.  With the Physics Forceps, I am able to extract teeth predictably and therefore profitably.  Because of the biomechanical principles applied to these instruments, I no longer break root tips and I am able to more predictably preserve the extraction site, improving patient care. Can you imagine that this is the first advancement in exodontias in 150 years?

The first time I used the Physics Forceps, I was in disbelief of how easy it was. After one minute, the tooth literally just elevated in the socket and was loose. I had to look at my assistant to make sure she saw the same thing. Then we performed our 2nd extraction, same result.  I was amazed.  My patient was even more amazed that the tooth was out. All of this in less than 2 minutes. How could extracting a tooth be so simple, when we have made it so hard on ourselves for all of these years?

When we have the correct instruments, techniques and materials, dentistry is fun and rewarding. The Physics Forceps make extractions fun and profitable. The reason why the Physics Forceps work so well is the biomechanical rationale: they act like a simple, first class lever. One force is applied with the beak on the lingual aspect of the tooth or root. The second force is applied via the “bumper” which is placed on the alveolar ridge at the approximate location of the mucogingival junction. The handles of the Physics Forceps are not squeezed, just held, and a gentle but steady rotational force is applied through a small amount of wrist movement (about 3- 4º of rotational force). Then a steady pressure is applied in this position for about two minutes.  As the instrument is allowed to do what it is intended to do, an element of “creep” allows the bone to slowly expand and the PDL to release.  Once this occurs, the tooth will disengage and rise approximately 1-2mm occlusally.  The tooth is now hanging in the socket and can be delivered with a hemostat, rongeur or conventional forcep.

For those of you that have heard me lecture before, you have heard me say that to consider a new product or technology for my practice, I run it through a simple test. I ask: is it faster than what I am currently doing, is it easier and is it better? For the Physics Forceps, it is all of this and so much more.  They have been a welcome addition to my practice armamentarium.  Because they are simple, predictable and non-surgical, they have become my go-to instrument for even the most difficult extractions. In the past, I was referring out more extractions than I was doing just because of the unpredictability and time involvement – it just wasn’t worth it for me to keep it in the office.  Well, not in this economy, and not now that I have the Physics Forceps.

Louis Malcmacher DDS MAGD is a practicing general dentist and an internationally known lecturer, author, and dental consultant known for his comprehensive and entertaining style.  An evaluator for Clinicians Reports, Dr. Malcmacher is a consultant to the Council on Dental Practice of the ADA. 

Interested in having Dr. Malcmacher speak to your dental society or study club? Click here. To reach Dr. Malcmacher, email him at DrMalcmacher@thedentistsnetwork.net or call 1.800.952.0521.

Forward this article to a friend.