Soft Yet Durable Material Retracts Tissue with Ease

Although normally associated with shapewear and fitness clothing rather than dentistry, spandex is a well-known type of highly stretchable material. Because of its extreme strength and elasticity, it makes perfect sense to create a lip and cheek retractor out of spandex fibers, which is exactly what Hager Worldwide decided to do with its newest product offering.

After using the Spandex Advanced lip and cheek retractor in his dental practice for a few weeks during restorative procedures, Dr. Brian Lee praised this clever retraction solution for its flexibility, comfort, durability, cost savings, and, of course, its ability to effectively retract tissue.

Flexibility & Comfort

Available in 2 sizes—standard and large—Spandex Advanced is made from 100% medical grade silicone with extremely durable, latex-free material that fully covers and protects a patient’s lips during hygiene, restorative, implant, and other dental procedures. Spandex Advanced’s flexibility allows it to move with the lips and cheeks while easily staying in place. A gentle inner rim encourages patient comfort, especially when worn for long durations.

“I mainly used Spandex Advanced for simple restorative procedures, and placement was easy if the patient's opening was the correct size for the retractor,” said Dr. Lee. “Patients did not complain about its comfort, even when I rested my fingers on it and applied pressure while working. I liked that it was soft, and the black color provides a great contrast with the oral cavity,” he added.

Hands-Free Retraction

Spandex Advanced provides secure and comfortable hands-free retraction when the mouth is open or closed. Dr. Lee appreciates that the “retractor is soft yet retains its shape enough to provide adequate retraction.” Mainly using it to work on anterior teeth, he said, “Lip and cheek retraction with Spandex Advanced was more than adequate for my procedures as long as the correct size was used.”

Reusable, Cost-Effective, and Durable

Another benefit of Spandex Advanced is that it is reusable and has been tested to withstand over 1,000 autoclave cycles, according to Hager. “I was unsure about how it would hold up after multiple sterilization cycles, but its durability exceeded my expectations,” declared Dr. Lee.

One autoclavable Spandex Advanced retractor replaces several single-use retractors, which reduces waste while saving on supply costs. “One advantage is that you can reuse it, which can provide savings when compared with similar products that are single use only,” Dr. Lee shared.

Naming many reasons why he will continue to use Spandex Advanced in his practice, Dr. Lee stated, “It is easy to use and has virtually no learning curve if you've used similar products in the past. Maintenance of the product is simple, and patients find it to be comfortable.”