Product Evaluation

Effective hemostasis and retraction are essential to the successful outcome of many dental procedures, but successfully retracting the tissue while controlling bleeding and keeping a patient comfortable is often easier said than done. Until Traxodent, that is.

From Premier Dental, Traxodent Hemodent Paste Retraction System acts quickly, gently, and effectively to retract tissue and control bleeding and moisture. With 2 convenient dispensing methods—syringes or capsules—the paste formula is easy to place precisely into and around the sulcus, and any excess material easily washes away.

“I chose Traxodent because it achieves optimal retraction and hemostasis that I need to obtain a beautiful impression,” shared Dr. John Jackfert, a Traxodent user for over 7 years. “Compared to packing cord, Traxodent provides a much less painful experience for the patient and is a lot less time-consuming for the dentist. It’s also very easy to rinse and clean up and doesn’t get trapped in the sulcus,” he added.

Precise Placement

Clinicians can choose between mini syringes with bendable tips or ergonomic unit-dose capsules with a dispenser, making Traxodent easy to apply precisely where it’s needed. Dr. William Campbell prefers the mini syringes, which “allow for easy handling and placement within the sulcus and interproximal areas,” and Dr. Jackfert noted, “The syringe tip is the perfect size to fit right in and around the sulcus with minimal waste.” A longtime user of Traxodent capsules, Dr. David Fang said, “I find the amount in 1 capsule is perfect without waste for most clinical situations, and the curvature of the tip allows for definitive placement of the Traxodent paste.”

Quick Retraction & Effective Hemostasis

Traxodent provides fast, predictable hemostasis and nonirritating retraction in 2 to 3 minutes, according to Premier, while keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. The soft paste produces gentle pressure on the sulcus while absorbing excess crevicular fluid and blood, while the aluminum chloride creates an astringent effect without irritating or discoloring surrounding tissue.

“Traxodent is able to achieve hemostasis in tough conditions,” shared Dr. Campbell. “It is effective with traumatized tissue during subgingival margin placement and successfully controls bleeding.” Ultimately, it “increases chances of taking a more ideal final impression,” he added.

Explaining that he uses Traxodent in about 60% of his crown and bridge cases, Dr. Larry Brent said the paste provides “excellent hemostasis and retraction” and is easy to use. “If the tissue is inflamed or injured during a preparation, Traxodent is the most successful way I have found to get hemostasis and retraction,” he added.

“Traxodent is simple to use and aids in getting successful impressions the first time,” shared Dr. Jeffrey Greene, who said, “It has been a positive addition to my crown and bridge routine for many years.” When preparing for a crown on a tooth that has had a prior root canal, Dr. Jackfert relies on Traxodent and said, “I don’t have to use any anesthetic to achieve a beautiful crown impression.” He also explained that “patient comfort is much greater when compared to older methods of retraction.”

Versatility & Ease of Cleanup

Traxodent’s nonstaining formula “rinses off well, leaving tissue ready for impression, with no additional scrubbing or contact with gingiva that could result in bleeding again,” stated Dr. Campbell. “After a good power washing, the sulcus is clean without any material residue,” which is important to ensure a clean impression, shared Dr. Greene.

Traxodent can be used alone, with or without cord, and with or without a retraction cap, making it a versatile hemostasis and retraction solution. “I use Traxodent in several ways,” said Dr. Greene. “When placed around the tooth with a cap prior to making a temporary, it provides good initial retraction and tissue control.” Prior to taking a final impression, Traxodent makes packing cord easier, he added, explaining that “the sulcus is already receptive to cord packing after the initial application.” When using a retraction cap, Dr. Greene said, “The cap keeps pressure on the material/cord system and protects it from saliva, while the extra pressure ensures that any bleeding will be eliminated to take a clean impression.”

“When I use the paste in conjunction with a retraction cap, I do not need a retraction cord,” shared Dr. Fang, who called Traxodent “very effective in clinical situations where I have had to aggressively place deep bevel margins because of deeper interproximal caries on a broken tooth.” He places Traxodent around the tooth, and the patient bites down on a retraction cap for several minutes. Then he removes the cap, thoroughly rinses away the Traxodent, and “predictable hemostasis occurs, even after the strong water rinsing action.” For Dr. Jackfert, “When Traxodent is combined with a retraction cap and bite pressure, hemostasis and retraction can be achieved very quickly, which saves the dentist money, and we all know that time is money in the dental office.”

Overall Satisfaction

With Traxodent, “I only need to take 1 impression, and my impressions are clean and readable, allowing for quick and easy placement of crowns,” shared Dr. Greene. Traxodent “is particularly helpful during any restorative treatment where gingival bleeding is impeding the process,“ concluded Dr. Campbell. “It is a very efficient and consistent product, and I highly recommend it.”