Knitted gingival retraction cord

A gingival retraction cord comprising a plurality of strands, each of said strands being formed into a plurality of interlocking loops such that the loops of each said strand are interlocked sufficiently loosely with the loops of another strand so as to form a knitted retraction cord which is longitudinally elastic so that it can be stretched along its length and which is transversely resilient so that said cord can be compressed and conformed to a gingival sulcus when packing said retraction cord into said gingival sulcus preparatory to making an impression of a tooth that has been prepared for fitting of an artificial crown.

A method of retracting gingival tissue away from the margin of a tooth which has been shaped preparatory to receiving an artificial crown, said method comprising the step of inserting a knitted retraction cord between said gingival tissue and the margin of said tooth so as to horizontally and vertically retract said gingival tissue, said knitted retraction cord comprising at least one strand which is formed into a plurality of sufficiently loosely interlocking loops such that said knitted retraction cord will exhibit longitudinal elasticity and transverse resilience so as to facilitate effective placement of said cord.

A method of manufacturing a gingival retraction cord for use in retracting gingival tissue from the margin of a tooth that has been prepared for receiving an artificial crown, said method of manufacture comprising the step of knitting at least one strand so as to form a plurality of interlocking loops, thereby forming said knitted retraction cord, said cord being knitted sufficiently loosely such that it is elastic in its longitudinal dimension so as to be able to be stretched, and resilient in its transverse dimension so as to be able to be compressed and conformed to the contour and shape of a gingival sulcus when being packed therein.