HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

In a simple tooth extraction, the instrument that is primarily used to locate and grasp the tooth during the procedure is the forceps. Forceps are designed specifically for dental extractions and come in various shapes and sizes, allowing the dental professional to securely hold onto the tooth's crown and apply the necessary force to remove it from the socket.

While elevators are used in the procedure for loosening the tooth before extraction, they are not typically used to locate the tooth itself. The suction device is employed to remove fluids and debris from the mouth during the procedure but does not have a role in locating the tooth. A scalpel may be used in more complex extractions to make incisions in the gum tissue, but it is not used in the simple extraction process for locating the tooth. Therefore, forceps are the perfect choice for both locating and extracting the tooth in a simple extraction situation.