Richmond Dental & Medical has made cotton products for clinicians since 1895. Today our cotton rolls cover every chairside need: braided, wrapped and econo dental cotton rolls that keep the field dry and retract soft tissue, plus a 1 lb Cotton Pound Roll for medical, veterinary and funeral home use.
Every Richmond cotton roll is made with medical-grade cotton, purified without chlorine bleach. Compare the options below to choose the right construction, size and sterility for your procedure.
Compare Richmond Cotton Rolls
| Cotton roll | Construction | Sticks to mucosa? | Sizes | Sterile option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Braided Cotton Rolls® | Purified medical-grade cotton braided with silky yarn; no starch or chemicals | No – no rewetting | 3/4″, 1-1/2″, 4″, 6″; small, medium, large diameters | Yes (1-1/2″ medium) | Maximum absorbency; long procedures, whitening, full arch, pediatrics |
| Wrapped Rolls | 100% purified medical-grade cotton in a nonwoven casing | No – no rewetting | 1-1/2″, medium (3/8″) | Yes | Reliable everyday isolation |
| Econo Rolls | 100% purified, medical-grade cotton with a methylcellulose binder; smooth and rigid | Rewet before removing | 1-1/2″, medium (3/8″) | No | Price-first, high-volume practices |
| Cotton Pound Roll | 100% purified medical-grade cotton, 1 lb roll | – | 12″ wide, 1 lb | No | Medical, veterinary, funeral home and specialty use |
Not sure which cotton roll fits your procedure?
Ask our team and we’ll help you match the roll to the work.
Richmond Braided Cotton Rolls®: Our Most Absorbent Dental Cotton Rolls
Our award-winning Richmond Braided Cotton Rolls® are held together with silky yarn instead of starch or chemicals, so they don’t stick to the mucosa and lift out without rewetting. In a Dental Product Shopper peer evaluation, clinicians scored them 4.6 out of 5, earning a Best Product award.
- Quick, high absorption without losing shape, so you use fewer rolls per patient
- Flexible design that adapts to the buccal curvature and sublingual space
- Four lengths (3/4″, 1-1/2″, 4″ and 6″) in small, medium and large diameters
- Sterile 1-1/2″ medium rolls for surgical procedures
See every size of our braided dental rolls.
Wrapped Rolls: Soft, Starch-Free Isolation
Wrapped Rolls surround a 100% purified, medical-grade cotton interior with a soft nonwoven casing sealed with an FDA-approved adhesive. They contain no starch, so they won’t stick to the mucosa and don’t need rewetting. Available in 1-1/2″ medium diameter, sterile or non-sterile.
Econo Rolls: Cost-Effective Cotton Rolls
For practices whose first consideration is price, Econo Rolls combine 100% purified, medical-grade cotton with a methylcellulose binder for a smooth, rigid roll with steady absorption. Rewet Econo Rolls before removing them so they release cleanly. Available in 1-1/2″ medium diameter, non-sterile.
Cotton Pound Roll: Bulk Cotton for Medical and Specialty Use
The Cotton Pound Roll is a 12-inch-wide, 1 lb roll of 100% purified, medical-grade cotton. Soft and highly absorbent, it’s used in medical, veterinary and funeral home settings, as well as for specialty applications that call for clean, bulk cotton. Non-sterile; 25 rolls per case.
How to Choose the Right Cotton Rolls
By diameter
Small (5/16″), medium (3/8″) and large (1/2″) diameters let you match the roll to the patient and the area you need to isolate. Medium (3/8″) is available in every Richmond dental roll type.
By length
1-1/2″ rolls cover most everyday isolation. Choose 3/4″ pedo rolls for children and small mouths, and 4″ or 6″ braided rolls for whitening and full arch reconstruction – they retract the gum, absorb saliva and won’t stick to the mucosa.
Sterile or non-sterile
For implant placement and oral surgery, use sterile braided or wrapped rolls. Learn what to look for in sterile cotton rolls for dental implant surgery, or read our guide to the best cotton rolls for modern dental procedures.
Starch-free or bound
Braided and wrapped rolls are starch-free and release without rewetting. Econo Rolls use a binder and should be rewet before removal.
Want the full Richmond line in one place?
Download our catalog for every cotton roll, sponge and disposable we make.
Why Clinicians Choose Richmond Cotton Rolls
- A cotton specialist since 1895: Richmond began with cotton products for clinical care and still makes them today.
- Medical-grade cotton: all of our cotton is purified without chlorine bleach.
- Starch-free options: braided and wrapped rolls won’t stick to the mucosa.
- Peer-rated performance: Best Product award, 4.6/5 in a Dental Product Shopper evaluation.
Cotton Roll Product Codes
| Product | Code | Size | Sterility | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braided – Economy Pak | 200215 | 1-1/2″ medium (3/8″) | Non-sterile | 2,500/bag; 4 bags/case |
| Braided – Junior Pak | 200204 | 1-1/2″ medium (3/8″) | Non-sterile | 2,000/box |
| Braided | 201210 | 1-1/2″ small (5/16″) | Non-sterile | 2,000/box |
| Braided | 201201 | 1-1/2″ large (1/2″) | Non-sterile | 1,000/box |
| Braided | 200206 | 1-1/2″ medium (3/8″) | Sterile | 2,000/box |
| Braided | 201226 | 4″ medium (3/8″) | Non-sterile | 250/box |
| Braided | 201213 / 201208 / 201205 | 6″ small / medium / large | Non-sterile | 200 / 200 / 100 per box |
| Braided pedo rolls | 201219 / 201218 | 3/4″ small / medium | Non-sterile | 1,400/box |
| Wrapped Rolls | 200404 / 200406 | 1-1/2″ medium (3/8″) | Non-sterile / Sterile | 2,000/box |
| Econo Rolls | 216206 | 1-1/2″ medium (3/8″) | Non-sterile | 2,000/box |
| Cotton Pound Roll | 1098401 | 12″ wide, 1 lb | Non-sterile | 1 roll; 25/case |
Choosing and Using Richmond Dental and Medical Cotton Rolls
What are cotton rolls used for?
In dentistry, cotton rolls isolate teeth and absorb saliva to keep a dry field, retract the cheek and tongue, and protect soft tissue during restorative, surgical, pediatric and whitening procedures. Outside dentistry, bulk cotton such as the Cotton Pound Roll is used in medical, veterinary and funeral home settings, as well as for specialty applications.
What is the difference between braided, wrapped and econo cotton rolls?
Braided cotton rolls are the most absorbent and are held together with silky yarn, so they will not stick to the mucosa. Wrapped rolls are very absorbent and held together with a nonwoven fabric that also will not stick. Econo (starched) rolls are the most economical; the cotton is bound into a roll, so rewet them before removing.
Do cotton rolls stick to the gums?
Starched or bound rolls can stick to dry tissue. Richmond Braided Cotton Rolls® and Wrapped Rolls are starch-free and release cleanly without rewetting. Rewet Econo Rolls before removing them.
What size cotton rolls do dentists use?
1-1/2″ rolls in small (5/16″), medium (3/8″) or large (1/2″) diameter cover most everyday isolation. Use 3/4″ pedo rolls for children and 4″ or 6″ braided rolls for whitening and full arch work.
Are sterile cotton rolls available?
Yes. Richmond offers sterile 1-1/2″ medium-diameter Braided Cotton Rolls® (200206) and Wrapped Rolls (200406), 2,000 per box.
What is a cotton pound roll?
A cotton pound roll is a continuous roll of absorbent cotton sold by weight. Richmond’s Cotton Pound Roll is 1 lb of 100% purified, medical-grade cotton, 12 inches wide, used in medical, veterinary and funeral home settings and for specialty applications.
Where can I buy Richmond cotton rolls?
Richmond cotton rolls are sold through dental and medical supply distributors. Use our Find a Distributor page to locate one near you.
Order Richmond Dental and Medical cotton rolls through your distributor.
Richmond Dental and Medical cotton rolls are available from dental and medical supply distributors nationwide. Find a Distributor