Expasyl™: Effective and atraumatic gingival retraction paste
Expasyl benefits from an excellent risk-benefit balance: its viscosity has been specifically calculated to effectively open the sulcus without damaging the epithelial attachment. The quality of opening is the same as this obtained with a cord without lesion, resumption of bleeding or pain. Your movement is both safe and efficient. No need to wait for tissue healing since they are perfectly preserved.
For 15 years, Expasyl gingival retraction paste has addressed the many risks and drawbacks to the cord. When extruded directly into the sulcus for hemostasis and atraumatic retraction, Expasyl provides the dentist with a safe, cost-effective alternative to packing cord for all procedures requiring gingival retraction—taking impressions (with or without prior gingival removal), seating of restorations, fitting/placing rubber dam, restoring class II, III, and V cavities, and more. Expasyl, a viscous biocompatible paste, contains 15% aluminum chloride to control bleeding, crevicular seepage, and other fluids.
Epithelial Attachment Safety
Unlike retraction cord, little or no pressure is required when applying Expasyl, dramatically reducing the risk of rupturing the epithelial attachment. With a clay-like consistency, Expasyl exhibits a yield stress higher than the force exerted on the tooth by gingival tissue. The paste expands and holds its rigidity to mechanically and comfortably create space between tooth and tissue. The aluminum chloride also shrinks the epithelium, further expanding the sulcus and minimizing patient discomfort.
Patient Friendly
Compared to traditional techniques, Expasyl enhances the patient experience during gingival retraction. Eliminating or greatly minimizing the risk of tissue trauma, it requires significantly less time and less force than placing cord. Additionally, Expasyl comes in a pleasant strawberry flavor for maximum patient acceptance.
Highly Productive
Expasyl simplifies and speeds tissue retraction. It is dispensed via a lightweight, ergonomic dispensing gun and single-use curved cannula tips to facilitate extrusion directly into the sulcus. Application is approximately 20 seconds per tooth. Expasyl is then left in place for between 1 minute (for thinner tissue) and 2 minutes (for thick and fibrous tissue). After the appropriate time, it is rinsed out, and the expanded sulcus is dried. Procedures can begin immediately without any additional steps, including anesthesia or other hemostasis measures. Compared to packing cord, total time savings is estimated at about 5 minutes per tooth.
Clinical Versatility
Expasyl has become a key component in the cosmetic dentistry armamentarium and has a long list of supporters, including Drs. Ed McLaren, Robert A. Lowe, and Ara Nazarian.
Here's what they have to say: "Expasyl provides just enough tissue deflection and sulcular fluid control to take a flawless impression for laminate veneers," said renowned educator and practitioner Dr. Robert A. Lowe. "During cementation, if the etchant irritates the tissue and causes some bleeding, Expasyl is indispensable in controlling the soft tissue around the margins during veneer placement...one of the best tissue management tools in my practice!"
Another Expasyl user, author and clinician Dr. Ara Nazarian noted another benefit. "For cosmetics, I am not concerned if the aluminum chloride interferes with bonding like some hemostatic agents on the market," he said.
Stocking Options
For varying inventory needs, Acteon offers both a Premium Kit (ten 1-g capsules of strawberry-flavored Expasyl, 40 prebent applicator tips, and a manual applicator gun) and a Starter Kit (six 1-g capsules of original Expasyl, 12 prebent applicator tips, and a manual applicator gun). Both flavors of paste, as well as the pre-bent and original straight applicator tips, are offered in bulk refill packages. Additionally, the manual guns are available individually and can be disinfected by wiping.
