From: "Dr Gareth Jones"
Newsgroups: roots
To: "ROOTS"
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 3:35 AM

Reading the latest JOE article on "spacer" use, do many Rooters still use Cotton Wool pellets?
How would you explain "wicking" And do you see sponge pellets as satisfactory as a replacement?

I do still use cotton wool on occasion but use Endofrost Sponge pellets more and more....

What clinical procedure is used when no spacer is used at all in a two visit technique? - Gareth

I no longer use any spacer at all; if the canal is so vast that I am concerned scraps of cavit may fall into it (at the next visit) I might
put a bit of sponge in the coronal third. Basically I like to get my cavit onto the the orifice.

I guess wicking signifies the cotton acting like a wick (if it is not completely contained), and providing a high way for bugs and fluids to
enter the tooth. I have certainly seen many cases where cotton wool has compromised or completely negated the temporary coronal seal.
- Simon Bender, Sydney, Oz

Hi Gareth, I just place Cavit on top of the Ultracal ( which just covers the orifices and the floor). If it is supposed to last longer,
I put composite on top. - Winfried
One of the reasons for using coronal sealing is this obviates the concern re; cotton on any level.
If however, some spacer is still required, cut up the sponge from the cover of your gutta percha cones.........soak it in CHX and then
cover it over with Cavit and any light cured temporary material such as TERM.

Better yet, start convincing your referrals to coordinate appointments with you or, even better yet NOW THAT THE PEERLESS POST SYSTEM is
available and mates to the NiTi shaping, finish the case where appropriate and transitionalize the case for completion.- Kendo 

I've used PTFE tape (plumbers tape) as a spacer when a case is completed over two visits, works well and comes out easy. - Parmer 

Hey! Do not use any pellets under the teporary. Cotton fibers are like highway for bacteria to the pulp. any other pellet is not an option
also- they weaken the tooth and filling stucture (look at the Haapaslo's fisr CD Visual Endodontics - nice photos what could happen).
Why do you need any pellets at all? Is it because you think you can be quicker removing the temporary on next visit? If that is the
problem - Use US with irrigation an full power it's much quicker and more effective than burs! - Veiko
3-M also makes sponge pellets
- R Kim Bleiweiss