Straight forceps – are simplest in design and are suitable for the front teeth (incisors and canines).
Upper premolar forceps – have handles that are angled in a mesial direction relative to the blades, thus allowing correct alignment of the blades for the premolar tooth. The curvature is to avoid the handles from fouling the lower lip or teeth.
Lower root forceps – all lower forceps are angled with their handles at roughly 90 degrees from the blades. The handles sit in an axial plane. This allows the optimum position of the dentist’s hand for both power and control.
Lower molar forceps – the lower molar has two mesial roots which are fused and one distal root. Most lower molars show two roots when viewed from the sides. Therefore the forceps will need a twin beak on either side. Third molar or wisdom tooth has variable root pattern.
Upper molar forceps – upper molar teeth has three roots (two buccal roots and one palatal root). The forceps are twin beaked on the buccal or cheek side and have a single blade palatally. Because of the asymmetrical beaks, the instrument is not reversible and separate beaks are needed for right and left.
Bayonet forceps – upper third molars may require forceps with additional distal reach. Bayonet forceps has blades offset substantially in a distal direction for this purpose. The shape resembles a bayonet rifle attachment.
Cowhorns forceps – are designed to penetrate in between the roots of molars to split the roots especially if the roots are diverged. .
