VOCO Retraction Paste

In my workflow, I use mechanical retraction cords instead of pastes about 95% of the time. Why? Some pastes dry out or require a dedicated gun or specialty tips, some can’t push tissue out of the way, and some work only if the slightest retraction is needed—a scenario that only occasionally happens.

That changed with VOCO Retraction Paste. Now, I only need cord about 50% of the time, instead of most every time. It comes down to ease of application and how it can be driven into the sulcus. With this paste, the tip helps with placement and you can push it in further with a flat instrument, it retracts the tissue, and it’s an effective hemostatic solution.

The active ingredient is aluminum chloride, not ferric sulfate. Ferric sulfate is commonly used with traditional cord for highly challenging cases with significant bleeding and is a stronger, more astringent material than aluminum chloride, but it can also lead to staining. There’s nothing more frustrating than having new veneers or ceramic crowns that begin to develop a gray cervical discoloration because the dentinal tubules have ferric ion remnants locked in. With this product, staining risk just disappears! Aluminum chloride is also less caustic-tasting for patients. Ferric sulfate is one of the materials that bothers patients the most. This paste is the least offensive hemostatic agent that I’ve used.

Gentle, Fast, & Easy Placement

For clinicians without a comfort level, cord can be a nightmare. VOCO Retraction Paste is easy to use and takes no time at all to put in place. It’s a relief to have something this simple that can take the place of narrow-diameter cords. Depending on how cord-friendly you are, this is either a really good adjunct or the best thing since sliced bread. 

The paste handles well and stays in place. The turquoise blue color is easy to see and rinses away easily with a heavy air/water spray. With cord, you have to pull it out of the sulcus, and while you may have achieved good hemostasis, that pulling motion can cause tearing and bleeding. This paste reduces tissue trauma, which dramatically reduces the risk of gingival recession. It’s gentle and time efficient, and we all know that time is money in dentistry.

It’s a great adjunctive product to have in your toolbox. Like most things in dentistry, this isn’t for every circumstance, but I’m using it very effectively in many situations.