Soft tissue handling is a critical component of dental surgery that impacts both patient recovery and the success of the procedure. Conducting periodontal surgery, extractions, or implant placement, precise handling of mucosal and gingival tissues is crucial. Application of the right instruments provides less trauma, correct incision, and correct suturing, resulting in faster healing and improved patient outcomes.

The article discusses three soft tissue instruments in oral surgery: scissors, needle holders, and clamps. These tools allow surgeons to incise, hold, and move soft tissue accurately and with precision. Let’s discuss their significance, types, and key tips in choosing the best surgical instruments.

1. Surgical Scissors: Precise Cutting with Soft Tissue Instruments

The Dental Surgical Role of Scissors

Surgical scissors play a vital role in the cutting and trimming of soft tissue, dissection of small structures, and removal of excessive tissue. They must cut cleanly and sharply with little tissue trauma.

Surgical Scissors Types Utilized for Dental Treatments

a) Iris Scissors

Iris scissors are small, acute blades that are long-tipped and were first used for eye surgery but are found to be commonly used in dentistry to cut soft tissues.

• Features: Long-tipped, short, and acute blades for details.
• Common Uses: Delimiting surgical flaps, excising excessive gingival tissues, and dissecting sutures.
• Available in: Straight or curved shape.

b) Metzenbaum Scissors

Metzenbaum scissors are employed for delicate tissue dissection and are longer than iris scissors, providing greater reach in deep surgical fields.

• Characteristics: Long, thin blades with blunt or sharp tips.
• Applications: Cutting and dissecting soft tissue in periodontal and implant surgery.
• Why Use Them? Their longer handle offers controlled movement with less hand fatigue.

c) Mayo Scissors

Mayo scissors are more robust and utilized for incising thick, fibrous tissues in oral surgery.

• Features: Strong, straight, or curved blades.
• Common Uses: Dissection of tough soft tissues, e.g., thick gingiva in flap surgery.
• Best For: Strength and durability being needed in a procedure.

Selection of proper surgical scissors

Proper scissors are determined by procedure:

• To be used for doing work in tender tissue? Iris or Metzenbaum scissors.
• To be used for cutting heavier tissue? Mayo scissors.
• For refinement? Curved scissors offer greater contouring than straight blades.

2. Needle Holders: Holding Accurate and Safe Suturing

The Function of Needle Holders in Dental Surgery

Needle holders (needle drivers) are employed for holding sutures in place for the closure of soft tissues. Precise placement is assured with a fine grip of the needle, with no slipping of the suture and minimum tissue damage.

Types of Needle Holders

a) Mayo-Hegar Needle Holder

A well-known needle holder with strength and versatility in it, which makes it suitable for different suturing methods.

• Features: Locking mechanism, serrated jaws.
• Common Uses: Holding medium to large needles in oral surgery.
• Best For: General dental and periodontal procedures.

b) Castroviejo Needle Holder

This spring-loaded, fine-tipped needle holder is used in microsurgery and finer suturing.

• Description: Ratchet or non-ratchet grip with slim, precise design.
• Common Applications: Microsurgical procedures like soft tissue grafting and implant placement.
• Why Choose It? Suitable for fine, delicate sutures, particularly in aesthetic regions.

c) Mathieu Needle Holder

This needle holder has a ratcheted locking mechanism with an innovative spring design, making it easy to handle.

• Features: Spring-loaded handle for rapid needle release.
• Common Uses: For closing small or out-of-reach areas.
• Optimum Best Suited For: Speed suturing at velocity.

Choosing the Optimum Needle Holder

• To use for precision and micro-sutures? Castroviejo needle holder.
• To use for regular sutures? Mayo-Hegar needle holder.
• To use with ease? Mathieu needle holder.

Using an appropriate needle holder reduces tension at the hand, allowing for greater suture accuracy leading to better wound healing.

3. Surgical Clamps: Bleeding and Tissue Control

Why Clamps are Used in Dental Surgery

Surgical clamps are used to grasp, hold, and control bleeding during dental surgery. Clamps provide better visibility and a clean field of operation by keeping soft tissue or blood vessels in position.

Types of clamps used in soft tissue control

a) Hemostatic Clamps (Hemostats)

Hemostatic clamps are used to stop bleeding by compressing blood vessels or holding soft tissue firm during surgery.

• Features: Serrated jaws to provide a secure grip, curved or straight in shape.
• Common Uses: Arresting bleeding and manipulation of soft tissue flaps.
• Examples: Mosquito forceps (employed in small tissues) and Kelly forceps (employed in large vessels).

b) Towel Clamps

Towel clamps are helpful during oral surgery, where tissue must be retracted and held in position.

• Features: Sharp, pointed tips for a secure grip.
• Usual Uses: Securing drapes, retracting a retractor, or securing tissue.
• Best For: Keeping the surgical field clean and organized.

c) Tissue Forceps (Adson, Allis, and Babcock Clamps)

Tissue forceps are utilized to gently reposition soft tissue during suturing or flap procedures.

• Adson Forceps: Delicate, toothed forceps to handle tissue lightly.
• Allis Forceps: Firm grip with interlocking teeth, good for retracting tissues.
• Babcock Forceps: Grasp soft tissue without crushing it.

Selecting the Best Dental Surgical Clamps

• Want to manage bleeding? Use hemostatic forceps.
• Want to hold soft tissue in place? Use Adson or Babcock forceps.
• Need a firm grip on flaps? Use Allis forceps.

Clamps are used to give a clean operating field, control bleeding, and make the procedure more efficient.

Conclusion: Selecting the Most Suitable Soft Tissue Handling Instruments

Scissors, clamps, and needle holders are extremely important in dental surgery for optimal soft tissue management. Quality instruments give optimal surgery with the least trauma and early healing.

Rapid Recap:

✅ Scissors: Iris, Metzenbaum, and Mayo scissors for dissecting and cutting tissues.

✅ Needle Holders: Mayo-Hegar, Castroviejo, and Mathieu holders to facilitate proper suturing.

✅ Clamps: Hemostatic clamps, towel clamps, and tissue forceps to hold things in position and manage any bleeding.

Why Quality Matters

The smoothness, reliability, and precision of the surgical tools not only ensure the success of the surgery but also facilitate the work for the surgeon. Investment in quality instruments prevents hand fatigue and enhances precision.

At Hasni Surgical, we strive to design the best dental surgical instruments that perform at their optimal level. We produce our instruments using high-quality stainless steel to make them sharp, hard-wearing, and reliable. 

💡Hi, searching for the best dental instruments? Contact us today to learn more about our fantastic line of surgical instruments for dealing with soft tissues!