Gordon universal type dental forceps, steel, by Hilliard, Edinburgh, 1835-1870

Dental forceps are used to remove teeth. Until the 1840s, with the development of anaesthetics, herbal remedies or alcohol were the only options for pain relief. In Great Britain in 1879, the first registered dentists list was published. It was voluntary to register until 1921 when it became mandatory. Before then anyone could advertise their services as a tooth-puller.