Gauze sponges are used by dentists and dental surgeons to control the moisture in the patient's mouth during dental treatment. Gauze sponges can be used for almost all procedures from routine cleaning to complex surgery. These absorbent sponges are shaped to fit the patient's cheeks, absorb saliva and blood and keep the workplace dry.
Gauze sponges can also be used for extra-oral dressings, preparing and cleaning wounds and surgical sites, as well as cleaning and disinfecting instruments and wiping surfaces.
While strength, absorbency and versatility can save time, improve efficiency and minimise the number of sponges you use, choosing sponges that are soft, lint-free and have low adhesion to the wound is essential for patient comfort and healing.
Sponges
Gauze sponges are made from two types of fabric: non-woven or woven. Each fabric type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application.
Woven gauze, which is made with a loose, open weave, is less absorbent than non-woven gauze and is more likely to shed lint. For this reason, it is not recommended to pack wounds as the loose fibres can enter the wound and interfere with healing.
Non-woven gauze is made from fibres that are pressed together to resemble a weave, but are not actually woven together. This gives non-woven gauze a higher degree of absorbency and core-absorbency than woven gauze.
Most non-woven gauze is made from synthetic fibres, such as rayon, polyester or a mixture of them. Non-woven gauze is stronger, bulkier, softer and produces less lint than woven gauze. However, non-woven gauze tends to be more expensive than woven gauze.
Sponges need to be sufficiently absorbent to keep the surgical area and wound clean and dry. A good quality sponge with good absorbency means you will use less sponge, saving you time and money and reducing waste. Absorbency is also key to ensuring patient comfort, as good absorbency helps prevent patients from swallowing blood, saliva and debris.
The fluid absorption and retention rate of a sponge is directly related to its basis weight. Basal weight is a measure of the thickness of the material used to make the sponge. Naturally, the more "layers" (plies) in a sponge, whether non-woven or woven, the more absorbent it will be. The extra thickness also provides additional cushioning for extraction sites and other wounds.
Sponge materials that are easily torn or abraded often leave small fibres on the dental instruments or directly in the wound. These fibres can interfere with treatment and healing, so it is important to choose a sponge that does not produce lint. One of the advantages of non-woven sponges is that they do not shed lint.
Higher quality sponges help to ensure that you use fewer sponges per procedure. Given the multiple uses of sponges, choosing a more durable brand can result in significant cost savings.
Sponges with a certain texture can be used to clean instruments and surfaces. However, sponges made of rough materials can cause pain and irritation when used on sensitive tissue. Softer sponges that have little or no adhesion to the wound are therefore a better choice for extractions and other procedures that create incisions.
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