Non-Woven vs. Woven gauze
Woven gauzes are the threading of yarns in a weaving pattern
Non-woven gauze are fibers that are pressed together resembling a weave
Woven gauzes are more coarse which is useful for cleaning
Non-woven gauzes are very soft which is useful for comfort
Woven gauzes are less absorbent because of the space between weaves
Non-woven gauzes are more absorbent since they are tightly packed
Woven gauzes can leave lint behind, especially if the threads become loose
Non-woven gauzes are typically lint-free
What Makes a Good Sponge?
Ultimately it’s about the safety of your patient and your practice. Here are the guidelines for deciding. We will focus on non-woven sponges given their popularity in dental practices.
How many layers is the sponge? Layers are defined as ply and the higher the ply, the more absorbent. Most common is 4 or 8 ply
How absorbent is the sponge? Test how much volume the sponge soak up, along with the speed of absorbency.
How soft are the sponges? Good products are built with patients in mind. The more soft and smooth the sponge, the more comfortable the patient is.
