Product Evaluation

Take 1 Retraction Paste

Take 1 Retraction provides hemostasis, moisture control, and gentle retraction in both low- and high-viscosity formulations

Like many of her peers, Dr. Sharde Harvey finds that taking impressions can be challenging and unpredictable for the clinician and uncomfortable for the patient. Using retraction cord requires time and effort and can sometimes be painful, Dr. Harvey said, while retraction pastes can be messy and have an unpleasant taste. When bleeding is present, other products sometimes need to be introduced to get the bleeding under control, which takes up valuable chair time.

With its new Take 1 Retraction Paste, KaVo Kerr is on a mission to transform a less-than-optimal impression-taking experience into a much more pleasant experience. Striving to “rethink retraction” for the patient and clinician, KaVo Kerr developed the paste to gently retract tissue while promoting moisture control and hemostasis.

According to Dr. Harvey, who was one of several dentists to test Take 1 Retraction Paste for DPS, “This new product quickly controlled the bleeding, most likely due to the pressure of the bite sponges

it comes with. It nicely retracts the soft-tissue, leaving margins clean and exposed.” She said it works well for supragingival preps, especially for CEREC restorations, and concluded, “It exposes the margins and controls bleeding while saving chair time.”

Hemostasis & Fluid Control

Comprised of dual-action 15% aluminum chloride and kaolin clay, the paste absorbs excess fluids and helps achieve hemostasis while gently retracting tissue, according to KaVo Kerr. Each unit dose is simple to apply, easy to clean up, and compatible with standard composite dispensers.

Take 1 Retraction Paste allowed Dr. David Schor to accomplish both hemostasis and retraction, resulting in a successful outcome in “every single crown and bridge case.” Mihaela Popa, DMD, said, “Hemostasis and fluid control are great,” and Dr. Harvey noted that, “It saves chair time and controls bleeding quickly.” Her favorite feature was “how easy the product is to remove from the prep, and that it seems to control bleeding by compression of the tissue.”

Noting that the material is easier and quicker than packing cord and provides very good hemostasis, Dr. Lazaris called it “excellent for impressions where the margin is supragingival…and very good when the margin is gingival.” He added, “While subgingival margins still require traditional methods, this can be a good adjunct to traditional methods to help control bleeding.”

Retraction (Low and High Viscosity)

The low-viscosity formulation is a thinner paste designed to enhance cord technique or replace the second cord in a double-cord technique. The thicker high-viscosity formula is ideal when using a cordless technique. “I really like the options of low and high viscosity,” noted Dr. Andrew Achord, who said using this material “increased production by reducing time needed for impressions.” Dr. David Saryan introduced Take 1 Retraction Paste in a patient with fairly loose gingiva where the cord would not stay in place. The paste “allowed for proper displacement of the gingiva without any harm [to the tissues],” he said, and was quicker than placing cord.

Calling the low viscosity single use cartridges easy to use, Dr. Carolyn Shreck said the material in the high viscosity cartridges was sometimes difficult to place. For Dr. Charles Kattuah, “The high viscosity retraction paste worked very well to retract the gingiva, achieve hemostasis and minimize moisture in the sulcus. It allowed for quicker/more accurate digital scans without the need to place retraction cord.” He suggested that a narrower tip would improve the ability to place the low viscosity paste in the sulcus.

Versatility

Take 1 Retraction Paste is suitable for traditional and digital impressions, before veneer or crown cementation, and prior to Class II, III, and V restorations. It can replace the second cord in a double cord technique, helps manage gingival tissue and control bleeding, and can be used with the included retraction caps to facilitate placement into the sulcus.

Using the product in a variety of clinical situations, the evaluators shared several success stories. Dr. Craig Goldin found the paste useful for “multiple crowns and veneers,” and Dr. Popa said, “It worked out great,” when using the paste prior to filling a cervical deep caries. “It works extremely well for periodontally involved gingiva where bleeding is always an issue,” shared Dr. Harvey.

"Since there is no cord packing, there is less harm to the gingiva."

-David Saryan, DDS; Glendale, CA

Overall Satisfaction

Noting that Take 1 Retraction Paste improves efficiency and safety, Dr. Saryan said, “You get better impressions by exposing margins in a more efficient and safer way; since there is no cord packing, there is less harm performed to the gingiva, allowing for more precise margin replication.” Dr. Harvey concluded, “It works better than other products such as retraction cord or other retraction pastes, and it’s easy to use and will save you chair time.”

Takeaways

•Available in low- and high- viscosity formulations to enhance or replace a cord technique

•Promotes moisture control and hemostasis

•Quick rinse for easy cleanup

•Gentle and quick retraction of gingival tissue

•Offers simple-to-apply unit-dose delivery with standard composite dispensers