What are the prongs that seat around the tooth and help stabilize the clamp called?

The correct term for the prongs that seat around the tooth and help stabilize the clamp is "jaws." Jaws are the parts of the dental clamp that grip the tooth structure, providing the necessary support to keep the clamp in place. This stability is essential for effective isolation of the tooth during procedures, such as in restorative dentistry.

Understanding the role of the jaws is crucial, as they need to fit securely around the tooth to prevent any movement that could compromise the work being done. Jaws play a vital role in ensuring that the clamp maintains its position while the dentist performs the necessary procedures.

In contrast, the other terms listed, while related to dental equipment, refer to different components or functions. Bows, for instance, typically refer to the curved parts of the clamp that connect the jaws and help adapt the clamp to various tooth sizes. Clamps refer to the entire device itself that holds the jaws and connects everything, while forceps are instruments used for grasping or holding objects but do not stabilize the clamp around the tooth.