Dental absorbent paper points are made of wood fibers, cotton fibers and sodium silicate, with great water absorption and flexibility. With its porous honeycomb structure, can absorb up to 8-10 times its own weight. Mainly used in root canal treatment to rapidly absorb exudate, saliva and rinsing fluid residues in the root canal by capillary action. One end of the paper points is sharp and slender, which can be adapted to different types of root canals, and the other end is flat and embossed for easy handling.
1. Disposable Endodontic Absorbent Paper Points Features
- Sterility: Disposable sterile absorbent paper points are sterilized by gamma rays to ensure they are free of bacteria and viruses, preventing cross-contamination.
- Absorbent: The porous honeycomb structure of these absorbent paper absorbs exudate, saliva and rinse residues from root canals by capillary action, keeping the root canals dry.
- Flexibility: The material of the points is tough and durable, adapting well to the environment of the root canal, leaving no fibrous debris, not easy to break, ensuring hygienic cleanliness of the root canal.
- Convenience: The endodontic absorbent paper points are disposable, so there is no need to clean and sterilize them. Improves the efficiency of dental clinics.
2. The Role of Absorbent Paper Points
The main purpose of absorbent paper points is to dry the internal environment of the root canal. They absorb the exudate when placed in the canal during root canal treatment. Based on its great water absorption properties, it can also be used to determine the infiltration of the root canal. Since the internal space of the root canal is very small, it is impossible to penetrate it with conventional tools and to observe it directly with the eye. This can be indirectly determined by repeated use of the absorbent paper points and by checking the color change of the points to see if the canal is free of exudate and has dried out.
3. Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Drying of the root canal: There are six types of absorbent paper points, numbered #15-#40. First, select the points that matches the root canal, rotate it into the canal and leave it in place for 15-30 seconds.
- Drug Delivery: Calcium hydroxide or other pastes are impregnated and inserted into the root canal for slow-release drug delivery.
- Haemostatic application: the point is used in conjunction with gutta percha points and haemostatic agents for post-pulpotomy wound management.
4. Quality control points
- Sterilization standard: EO sterilization packaging needs to meet the requirements of YY/T 0698-2017
- Performance testing: including water absorption rate test (GB/T 454-2020), tensile strength test
- Biocompatibility: Passed ISO 10993 cytotoxicity certification
5. Precautions for using sterile dental absorbent paper points
- Before use, check the package of absorbent paper point isn’t intact , and discard it immediately if it is damaged or contaminated.
- Wash your hands and gloves when use to prevent contamination of the absorbent paper points.
- Insert the points gently into the root canal, avoiding excessive force to prevent damage to the periodontal tissue or root canal.
- Discard after use and do not reuse.
6. Absorbent Paper Points vs Gutta Percha Points
| Absorbent Paper Points | Gutta Percha Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose: | Absorbent paper points are mainly used in root canal treatment to absorb excess fluid and moisture from the root canal. Especially during root canal sterilization. It helps to keep the root canal dry and clean for subsequent treatment. | The gutta percha points are primarily used for root canal filling. It is used to seal a cleaned out root canal to prevent bacteria from re-entering. |
| Characteristics: | Made of paper material, it is usually thin and pointed to allow complete access to the inside of the root canal. Absorbent paper points are used in the early or middle stages of root canal treatment to keep the root canal clean and dry. | Made of natural rubber material mixed with other ingredients, tapered and can be selected according to the size of different root canals. It has good biocompatibility, plasticity and sealing properties. Usually used with root canal filling materials. |
| Complementary action: | In root canal therapy, the absorbent paper points first ensures that the root canal is free of excess moisture and is in a dry state suitable for filling. The gutta percha points then serves as the filling material, which finally seals the root canal. | |
7. FAQs
Q1: What is the special application of absorbent paper point in microscopic root canal therapy?
Microscopic root canals require a higher degree of precision, and ultra-fine paper points (e.g., 02 taper). Can be used in conjunction with a microscope to assist in locating calcified root canals or removing fractured instruments.
Q2: What is the industry standard for “color coding” of paper points?
International standards: White – #15, Yellow – #20, Red – #25, Blue – #30, Green – #35, Black – 40. Some manufacturers have expanded to purple (#50)
Q3: Does children’s milk teeth need special paper points for the treatment?
The root canals of milk teeth are short and thick, so need shorter (8-12mm) and flexible paper points to avoid penetrating the apical foramen. Some products contain tin fluoride coating to inhibit secondary caries.
Q4: What is the laboratory test method for the absorbent points?
The industry adopts the “5-second sinking test”: the standard paper point must sink completely within 5 seconds after being immersed in saline, and the length of the point must swell by <3% after absorption.
