Minnesota Large (16cm)

The Minnesota Large (16cm) is a single-piece, double-ended soft tissue retractor measuring 16 cm in total length with a blade width of 20 mm. The instrument body is forged from non-magnetic, medical-grade stainless steel with a satin-polished finish that reduces light glare under surgical illumination. One end carries a curved, wide blade profile designed to engage the buccal mucosa and cheek wall, while the opposite bayonet-shaped end depresses and displaces the tongue away from the operative field. Both working ends have blunt, smooth edges that prevent mucosal tearing during prolonged retraction. The Dental Minnesota Cheek Retractor design distributes lateral pressure across a broad flat surface, reducing the risk of localized bruising or soft tissue trauma during extended procedures.

The instrument’s S-shaped body — clearly visible in the product image — provides the balanced weight distribution needed for single-handed use without wrist fatigue. The ergonomic mid-body grip section allows the operator or assistant to maintain consistent retraction force without repositioning. It is fully autoclavable and compatible with standard ultrasonic cleaning cycles, retaining its dimensional shape and surface integrity across repeated sterilization.

Oral surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, and general dentists use the Minnesota Large (16cm) during surgical extractions, implant placement, mucoperiosteal flap elevation, soft tissue and bone grafting, and third molar removal. The curved blade holds cheeks and lips away from the surgical field while the bayonet end controls tongue displacement simultaneously. The Cawood Minnesota Retractor 16cm configuration suits adult patients where greater oral cavity depth requires a longer handle reach.

Leader Surgical produces this retractor to verified dimensional and material standards, making it a dependable chairside instrument for both routine and complex oral surgical procedures.

How does it differ from a standard Minnesota retractor?
The “Large 16cm” version features a longer handle end (16cm total length) compared to the standard 14cm models, offering the clinician better leverage and controlled maneuverability in deeper or larger oral cavities.