Dental And Oral Surgery Retractors In The United States
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Reviewed by the Medical & Dental Board, Equate Instruments · Published ·
In the United States, Equate supplies 63 surgical retractors references directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors. In 2019, an estimated 42.6% of children aged 1-9 in the United States had untreated caries of deciduous teeth (WHO).
Key points
- In 2021, the WHO recorded that routine, preventive and curative oral health care were not included in the largest US government health financing scheme, which covered 15% of the population (WHO).
Dentists in the United States at a glance
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- +23.9% since 2001
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2024
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 205,088
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 60
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 39.4
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- dental schools listed
- 15
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+24.3%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+15.7%
- No natural teeth, 20+10.2%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
Which types of surgical retractors do clinics in the United States stock?
- Austin retractor
- Langenbeck retractor
- Hook and rake retractors
What are surgical retractors used for in the United States?
A dental retractor is a hand instrument that holds the cheek, lips, tongue or a surgical flap away from the area being treated. See the full guide to dental and Oral Surgery Retractors.
How should surgical retractors be cleaned and sterilised in the United States?
In 2016, the CDC published its Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings, noting that reported transmission cases involved failure to heat-sterilize handpieces between patients and failure to spore-test autoclaves (CDC).
In 2021, the WHO recorded that routine, preventive and curative oral health care were not included in the largest US government health financing scheme, which covered 15% of the population (WHO).
Popular Equate dental and oral surgery retractors for the United States
All products
surgical retractors
Brunings Tongue Retractor 19cm
EI-0387
surgical retractors
Minnesota Retractor Small
EI-0388
surgical retractors
Cawood-Minnesota Tongue Retractor
EI-0390
surgical retractors
Langenbeck Retractor 40x11 mm 21 cm
EI-0404
surgical retractors
Jennings Mouth Gag Retractor - 13 cm
EI-2251
surgical retractors
Lip Retractor 14 cm - Wire Frame
EI-2332
surgical retractors
Desmarres Retractor 9 x 9 mm Blade - 14.5 cm
EI-2474
surgical retractors
Austin Retractor
EI-2734
What is the the United States market like for surgical retractors?
In 2022, 72.3% of the US population served by community water systems, 209,135,866 people, received fluoridated water (CDC).
Where do dental students in the United States learn to use surgical retractors?
Students at New York University College of Dentistry and University of Michigan School of Dentistry and 13 other the United States dental schools train with surgical retractors in their clinical years.
What do dentists in the United States search for when buying surgical retractors?
In North America, surgical retractors draw about 20,450 searches a month (Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026). The most searched terms are "cheek retractors", "cheek retractors dental", "dental mouth gag" and "dental retractors".
Which surgical retractors does Equate supply to the United States?
Local guides: Washington, Ann Arbor and Baltimore.
How are surgical retractors regulated in the United States?
Under 21 CFR 872.4565, US dental hand instruments such as curettes, explorers and forceps are Class I (general controls) devices, exempt from premarket notification subject to the limits in 872.9 (eCFR via Cornell LII).
Why do practices in the United States buy surgical retractors from Equate?
- A named Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing for private practices and DSOs and dental schools and hospital clinics in the United States.
- Samples are available, so a clinic in the United States can test an instrument before ordering in volume.
Equate data
The Equate dental and oral surgery retractors range for the United States
Catalogue explorer: 63 references
| Pattern | References | Figures | Handles | Coatings | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Retractors | 3 | — | — | — | EI-0388EI-2736 |
| Austin Retractors | 5 | — | — | — | EI-2349EI-2477 |
| Langenbeck Retractors | 10 | — | — | — | EI-0403EI-0404 |
| Tissue Retractors | 24 | Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 | knurled, solid | — | EI-0371EI-0372 |
| Tongue Retractors | 5 | — | — | — | EI-0387EI-0389 |
| Lip Retractors | 6 | — | — | — | EI-2332EI-2335 |
| Self-Retaining Retractors | 2 | — | — | — | EI-2246EI-2247 |
| Mouth Gagschildren | 8 | — | — | — | EI-2250EI-2251 |
Starter kit for a new practice in the United States
- Minnesota retractor:Minnesota Retractor SmallEI-0388
- Austin retractor:Austin RetractorEI-2734
- Tongue retractor:Brunings Tongue Retractor 19cmEI-0387
- Mouth gag:Jennings Mouth Gag Retractor - 11 cmEI-2250
What buyers search for
About 20,450 searches a month across 85 related terms.
- cheek retractors5,000
- cheek retractors dental500
- dental mouth gag500
- dental retractors500
- dental tongue retractor500
- disposable cheek retractors500
Your Regional Executive · North America
Ahmed Kamal
Regional Executive, Long Island, NY
Frequently asked questions
Can clinics in the United States buy surgical retractors directly from Equate?
Yes. Equate sells directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors in the United States. The Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing.
References
- World Health Organization (2019)
- Code of Federal Regulations (Cornell LII) (2026)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022)
- Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Elsevier (instrumentation for basic oral surgery; principles of routine exodontia)
- Boyd LRB. Dental Instruments: A Pocket Guide. Elsevier
- Kohn WG, et al. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 52(RR-17), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I am a… in the United States
