Auric Bhattacharya
Manipal University College Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: Comparison of physics forceps and conventional forceps in extraction of mandibular molars; a double blinded randomized controlled trial
Biography
Biography: Auric Bhattacharya
Abstract
Introduction/Background: Tooth extractions are commonly done with conventional forceps. Recent advances like physics forceps help in atraumatic extractions by preserving the buccal plate having less pain and better gingival healing. The buccal beak of the physics forceps is a plastic covered bumper which prevents reflection of buccal gingiva and buccal plate fracture. This is the first such comparison study to not only measure gingival healing post-operatively, but also to perform the comparison exclusively in mandibular molar region.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of physics forceps and conventional forceps in extraction of mandibular molars by randomly dividing the patients in two groups. The efficacy is determined by comparing the success of extraction, relative pain score, incidence of alveolar fracture, patient satisfaction and soft tissue healing on 3rd post-operative day.
Methodology: Patients who were indicated for extraction were included in the study. They were divided into two groups of 10 by double blinded randomization. Local anaesthesia was administered, and the extraction was carried out using either physics or conventional forceps. Post extraction, the pain score was assessed using the VAS. Along with these, the gingival healing, success of extraction and alveolar plate fracture was assessed by the subject expert on the 3rd day post-operative day.
Results: The median score and interquartile range for both the groups was calculated. P value was determined using the Mann-Whitney U test for all parameters except alveolar plate fracture. Patients in the physics forceps group had significantly better results (P value< 0.05) for each of the parameters except success of extraction and alveolar bone fracture.
Conclusion & Recommendation: We can conclude that physics forceps has significant advantages like better patient satisfaction, VAS score and gingival healing. The bumper on the buccal plate prevents the fracture of buccal plate and results in superior rehabilitation. Physics forceps can replace the normal forceps for extraction of mandibular molars which are not grossly decayed. However, a larger sample size will help us in determining more conclusive results.