Columbia Retractors

Description

Columbia Retractors

Good access starts with soft tissue held out of the way. This columbia cheek retractor is a 14.5 cm hand instrument that an assistant uses to draw the cheek, lip or tongue aside during treatment. With the tissue retracted, light reaches the site and instruments pass freely.

A Classic Oral Surgery Pattern

The Columbia is a long-established retractor shape in dental and oral surgery. The supplier catalogue lists it in its retractor section at 14.5 cm, without further blade detail. Therefore, please check the product photos for the exact blade curve and handle profile before you order.

Holding Cheek, Lip and Tongue

During extractions, the assistant hooks the blade inside the cheek and pulls gently outward. For lower posterior work, meanwhile, the same retractor can press the tongue toward the midline. Because the instrument is all metal, it also reflects some light into the field and withstands repeated autoclaving.

When to Choose the Columbia

• Third molar and posterior extraction access.
• Flap reflection where the cheek tends to fall back over the site.
• Assisted procedures in which one hand must hold tissue steady for several minutes.

For small mouths or anterior work, however, a shorter lip retractor may feel more comfortable. Many teams therefore keep both on hand.

Columbia Inspection and Cover

The retractor is stainless steel, and a US reviewer checks each Columbia for blade finish and straightness before it ships. It is sent out non-sterile; as a result, clean and autoclave it before it joins the surgical tray. Columbia retractors from us include three years against manufacturing defects, blade and handle together.

Surgical steel requirements appear in ASTM F899. For more retraction and access tools, see the maxillofacial surgery instruments page; alternatively, weigh up the Oringer Retractors for lip and tongue work. Our FAQs explain payment and returns.

Columbia retractors are intended for trained dental assistants and surgeons. See our care and sterilization instructions and the shipping and delivery page.