Tudor-Edwards retractor

A retractor is a special instrument used in dentistry to open the patient’s mouth, which is necessary for various procedures and operations. It is an important tool for ensuring patient safety and comfort during dental procedures. Developed by American physician Nowell Edwards in 1930, the Edwards dilator (formerly a nostril dilator) is still used today to secure a patient's lips in a slightly open position. And a tool called a “manual mouth retractor”, invented in 1782 by Beadles Slayton, is still used to this day in some specialized dental clinics to open the patient’s mouth. This retractor uses friction to create the necessary tension on the cheeks, which allows them to be held apart for safe access to the teeth and tongue. This instrument was one of the first applications of modern science in the field of dentistry, and its success can still be seen in its use today. In this article, we will look at the history of the Edwards retractor and the modern technologies used to improve its effectiveness.

**History of the creation of retractors.**

The retractor was