Two researchers at King Khalid University's College of Dentistry, Assistant Professor and prosthodontics consultant Dr. Majed Saad Altoman and prosthodontics fellow Dr. Manar Al-Omari, have received a patent from the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) for a flexible gingival retraction cord with adjustable ties.

According to Dr. Altoman, standard retraction cords have a fixed diameter, so they can be hard to secure, may slip out of place and can put uneven pressure on gum tissue. Using a separate cord for every tooth also adds time and effort when many teeth need preparing.

The new cord has a flexible spiral design of linked loops joined by adjustable ties, so the diameter of each loop can be matched to the tooth for a better, more stable fit. One continuous cord can be placed around several neighbouring teeth, and it comes in a pack with a dispenser that releases it gradually and a built-in cutter for setting the length.

Dr. Altoman said the invention is intended to make gum retraction more efficient in prosthodontic work such as preparing crowns and bridges, taking conventional impressions and full-mouth or multi-tooth preparations, potentially cutting clinical time, effort and material use while making patients more comfortable.