A Langenbeck is a surgical instrument used to hold back tissue.

This film of the removal of a wisdom tooth shows how the cheek of the patient is held away from the tooth using a Langenbeck.
As with all surgical instruments, these instruments should be sterile when used.

The picture shows an operating container, in which the operating instruments lie neatly sorted side by side, which is the best storage method for the sterilizing process. Before the operation the container is opened and the instruments can be taken out using sterile gloves – sterility is thus maintained. Using an operating container is standard practice in hospitals, although not in doctors' practicing rooms.