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Cotton rolls
Also called: cotton roll, cotton roll holder
Small rolls of cotton placed in the cheek or under the tongue to soak up saliva.
Cotton rolls are a simple way to keep a tooth dry. For upper teeth they go in the cheek near the opening of the parotid (saliva) duct; for lower teeth they go in the cheek fold and under the tongue. If a roll has dried and sticks to the tissue, wet it with water before removing it.
How to spot it
- Small white cylinders about 3-4 cm long.
What it is used for
- Sealants, bonding, impressions, and placing topical or medicaments.
Safety and care
- Single-use (disposable) item: use it on one patient, then throw it away. Never clean and reuse it.
- Wet a dry, stuck roll with the air-water syringe before pulling it out to avoid tearing the tissue.
Related
Sources: RDH Magazine. Dry idea (isolation with dry angles and cotton rolls)