I am looking for an alternative to retraction cord and astringents. The cord seems to traumatize the tissue, and the astringents either do not work well or leave coagulant in the area of the margins. Is there an alternative product to use for tissue retraction?

Yes, Magic FoamCord (Coltene/Whaledent, Inc.) is an addition silicone that is placed in the gingival sulcus after tooth preparation. The patient then bites into an anatomically-shaped cotton “cap” that puts pressure on the material, gently pushing the tissue away from the preparation. The silicone also expands once placed to retract the tissue atraumatically.