ViscoStat Clear

The difference between ViscoStat Clear and other buffered aluminum chloride solutions, according to the manufacturer, is that it is viscous but easy to spread, which makes for easier handling. ViscoStat Clear is recommended before placement of anterior crowns and veneers.

Application Procedure

The procedure for applying ViscoStat Clear is described as a 3-step process:

• 1. - An Ultradent 1.2 mL unit dose syringe is attached to the end of the ViscoStat IndiSpense syringe. Grasping the plunger of the IndiSpense syringe, gently depress while holding the plunger on the unit dose syringe.
• 2. - Twist a Dento-Infusor tip securely onto the syringe.
• 3. - Circle the preparation, expressing gel while rubbing until adequate hemostasis is obtained. Rub firmly until all bleeding stops.

When the 8 dentists who participated in this evaluation were asked to rate the application procedure for ViscoStat, 5 rated it as excellent and 3 rated it as very good. One evaluator said it “was very easy to use.” Another commented that “easy syringe delivery helps.” A third evaluator said, “The infuser tip is good, but the tip flares out. A tighter material on the end would be helpful.”

Bleeding Control

According to Ultradent, ViscoStat Clear rapidly stops bleeding and sulcular fluid. When the evaluators were asked to rate ViscoStat Clear on bleeding control, 2 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair. One evaluator said that ViscoStat Clear “works as well or better than anything else I have tried.” Another evaluator said that bleeding was controlled long enough to complete procedures. A third evaluator said that bleeding control “could have lasted longer in some cases.”

Patient Reaction

The evaluators were asked to get their patients’ feedback with regard to the taste and smell of ViscoStat Clear. One evaluator rated his patients’ reaction as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, 2 rated it as fair, and 2 rated it as poor. One evaluator said, “Everyone hates the taste if it accidently gets in their mouth.” Another evaluator said his patients “didn’t like the taste, but it wasn’t as bad as some others (including my current agent).” A third evaluator said that ViscoStat Clear is “better than most others.”

Compatibility with Impression Materials

When the evaluators were asked about the importance of compatibility with impression materials when purchasing a hemostatic agent, 5 said it is very important and 3 said it is important. After they used ViscoStat Clear in their practices, the evaluators were asked to rate its compatibility with impression materials. Four evaluators rated it as excellent and 4 rated it as very good. One evaluator said that ViscoStat Clear “always rinsed off well, so [it] doesn’t seem to have a major effect in my office.” A second evaluator said that he “experienced no noticeable effects.”

Clean Up

According to Ultradent, ViscoStat Clear rinses off easily and doesn’t leave any debris behind. When the evaluators were asked to rate ViscoStat Clear on ease of clean up, 2 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. Most of the evaluators commented on the ease of clean up, saying it was the same as or better than other hemostatic agents. One evaluator noted, “The coagulum is very difficult to remove and sometimes bleeding starts again during its removal.”

Overall Satisfaction

At the end of the evaluation, the 8 dentist evaluators were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with ViscoStat Clear. Six evaluators rated it as excellent to very good and 2 rated it as good to fair. One evaluator said that bleeding was controlled “within 30 seconds.” Another commented on the material’s clean up, saying ViscoStat Clear is “easy to clean up and there is no residual left.”