Product Evaluation

Braided Cotton Rolls Evaluation

Richmond’s Braided Cotton Rolls offer exceptional absorbency and retraction, as well as easy removal for optimal patient comfort

Words like “adequate” tend to be used to describe fluid control and retraction. But settling for adequate isn’t an option for practitioners striving for excellence. Richmond Dental and Medical has raised the bar with its Braided Cotton Rolls, offering a unique wicking action that provides a drier field, an innovative flexible design that produces a secure fit, and ease of removal that enhances patient comfort.

Like all dentists, Dr. Tanya Brown is always looking for excellent retraction and isolation during dental procedures. She praised the Braided Cotton Rolls for providing “great isolation and fluid control” and said they saved time, improved access, and enhanced patient comfort. Our DPS evaluators found these cotton rolls to be far better than adequate and rated it a best product.

Absorbency and Retraction

Several evaluators said improved absorbency was their favorite feature, including Ohio dentist William Bennett, who wanted an effective means of providing isolation while maintaining a dry field, and decided that the Braided Cotton Rolls “performed both functions in a superior manner.” Fred Winter, DMD, said, “[The rolls] kept the field dry throughout the procedure,” and Dr. Byron Davis said they provided “excellent adaptability and great absorption, especially under the tongue.” Dr. Albert Klitzke told DPS, “The braided rolls were more absorbent” than the cotton rolls he’d been using, and Dr. Niemann described the braided rolls as “nice for anteriors requiring runny topicals.”

Noting that they “absorbed more without losing their shape,” Donald Jetter, DMD, said they proved critical for a successful outcome by “keeping a dry field for placement of bonding agent.” He added, “We found that fewer cotton rolls can be used due to the greater absorbency and shape retention.” When asked about retraction, Dr. Elizabeth Spindel shared, “It was very absorbent and easy to place,” and Dr. Jason Wetmore concluded that the rolls provided “adequate isolation, good absorbency, not too much lint or debris, [and] no problems.”

Fit and Flexibility

Each dentist tested 3 sizes of the mediumdiameter Braided Cotton Rolls in 1.5-in, 4-in, and 6-in lengths. “I really liked the longer pieces for placing attachments for Invisalign cases,” noted Dr. Neda Sayyah, and Dr. Brown said that “the length and options for placement” were the features she liked most. “It was nice to have the rolls that were wider than the ones I had for different procedures,” said Dr. Klitzke, who added, “The longer rolls were helpful when doing quadrant dentistry.”

According to Richmond, the flexible design of the rolls produces a secure fit into the buccal curvature and the sublingual space. “They have a consistent fill,” commented Dr. Niemann when asked about the design. She added, “[There were] no under-filled rolls mixed in with the normal ones.” When asked what he would like to see improved, Dr. Jetter suggested a “more streamlined shape for easier placement.” Dr. Davis pointed out that the rolls “work great with cotton roll holder when doing restorations on mandibular teeth.”

Patient Comfort

Unlike rolls that are held together chemically, which causes sticking to the mucosa, Richmond’s Braided Cotton Rolls are held together with silky yarn, resulting in ultimate patient comfort. Dr. Davis cited “ease of placement and not sticking to tissue” as the features he liked most, and Dr. Brown said patients told her “they were very comfortable.” Calling the rolls “easy to remove,” Dr. Winter said they didn’t tear the mucosa on removal. Carrie Niemann, DDS, determined that “comfortable removal was a plus” and said, “The cotton rolls did not adhere to the tissue nearly as much as my usual brand, even when used with topical phenylephrine.” And Dr. Bennett agreed, stating, “There was no residual cotton stuck to the patients’ mucosa when we were done.”

"Adequate isolation, good absorbency, not too much lint or debris, [and] no problems."
-Jason Wetmore, DMD
Rockledge, FL

Overall Satisfaction

With the combination of excellent absorbency, superior retraction, easy removal, and enhanced patient comfort, the Braided Cotton Rolls were highly recommended by DPS evaluators. Dr. Spindel described them as “quick and easy to use,” Dr. Winter said they made his procedures go cleaner and faster, and Dr. Davis called them a “great alternative to traditional cotton rolls.” That’s a product that’s definitely better than “adequate.”

Takeaways

•A unique wicking action provides a drier field
•Superior absorbency improves access
•Easy removal enhances patient comfort
•Flexible design produces a secure fit