Why I Use...VOCO Retraction Paste

Sometimes, retraction cord just isn't enough. My patient population includes many older adults with dexterity challenges, so food impaction is common, particularly in the posterior teeth. When restoring fragile dentition, it is often sur-rounded by a long-term inflammatory response due to caries or periodontal disease—or both. The tissue is already in an irritated state, which means it is likely to bleed without much additional stimulus.

Having a fast, chemo-mechanical agent like VOCO Retraction Paste (VRP) for improved visualization in these scenarios just makes sense.

Retraction Without Irritation

For our patients with thin tissue biotype, especially in the esthetic zone, VRP offers an atraumatic tissue-management option. I also treat a number of folks taking anticoagulant medications, and it can be challenging to achieve true hemostasis in those instances. VRP provides a clean, effective alternative to cord or laser troughing for those tough-to-control situations.

Iron-based products are very effective at hemostasis, but when I'm working with composite resin, I am cognizant that any ferrous compounds may leave some gray or brown staining behind if not removed adequately. Using aluminum chloride in these in-stances is still effective and takes unwanted staining out of the picture. It may take a bit more time to work, but it's worth it knowing I have a stain-free restorative environment to place resin-based materials.

Easy Application

Applying VOCO Retraction Paste is simple and consistent. It can be loaded into any composite applicator gun, and there is enough material for 3 to 5 teeth in a quadrant if needed. The fi ne, semi-flexible tip fits right into the sulcus, and due to its low extrusion force, the material expresses easily where I need it to. The teal blue color is distinct and rinses away without effort after a 1- to 2-minute set time.

A Clear Advantage

I will often use a smaller cord first followed by VOCO Retraction Paste—a technique that gives me a predictably dry visual and restorative fi eld for conventional impressions, digital scans, or direct restorations. There is still a place for cord in my practice, but I love having an additional tool in my armamentarium that is cost-effective, shelf-stable, and easy to use.