Which instrument is used for extracting lower anterior teeth?

• A. Lower Anterior Forceps
• B. Lower Root Forceps
• C. Lower Molar Forceps
• D. Winters Elevator

Answer: (A)

When removing lower anterior teeth, you want a tool that fits the narrow crowns and single-root anatomy of these teeth and allows controlled extraction along the tooth’s long axis. The lower anterior forceps are designed precisely for this region; their slender beaks cradle the crown of mandibular incisors and canines and enable the practitioner to apply steady traction in line with the tooth’s axis, reducing the risk of crown or root fracture while effectively delivering the tooth from the socket.

The other instruments have different uses. Root forceps are meant for grasping and removing roots or fractured root fragments rather than whole anterior teeth. Molar forceps are larger and shaped for posterior teeth with broader crowns and multi-rooted roots, so they don’t fit the premolar/incisor region well. Winters elevator functions as a luxator to loosen the tooth by elevating its periodontal ligament; it’s used in the preparation phase rather than to extract the tooth directly.