Gingival bleeding during impression taking or crown cementation is a deal breaker. If the restorative process cannot be accomplished in a moisture-controlled environment, it will fail. The same situation arises during the restoration of deep Class IIs and Class Vs. In addition to the problem of hemorrhage, the continual flow of crevicular fluid also tends to disrupt dental procedures. Gingival hemostasis has long utilized various sulphur compounds, despite the complication that even trace amounts of this additive can interrupt the polymerization of the commonly used vinyl siloxane impression materials. Septodont has recently introduced Racegel, a thermally dynamic hemostatic agent that features faster control of bleeding, precise placement, and rapid cleanup. It also absorbs crevicular fluid, guaranteeing a dry peridental operating field. Racegel’s active ingredient is 25% aluminum chloride, a proven astringent that has no effect on impression materials. Its thermodynamic properties make it a liquid at room temperatures that applies easily to gingival surfaces; oral temperatures of 35°C increase its viscosity so that it stays in place until the impression sets. The thermal effect is completely reversed by rinsing with room temperature water. Racegel’s convenient prebent tip syringe makes it easy to dispense precisely and its bright orange color ensures that it is completely rinsed away prior to taking the impression without tissue discoloration or irritation. Racegel can be used in combination with a retraction cord, directly applied to both the single- and double-cord techniques, to make margins visible and readily accessible. It facilitates crown and bridge impressions and cementations, deep direct restorations, as well as periodontal scaling. Racegel makes hemostasis and crevicular fluid management much easier and far more predictable.
