When it comes to disposable glove materials, nitrile is one of the most common. But what, exactly, is nitrile? What is it made of and what are its characteristics? And why are disposable nitrile gloves so popular in comparison to other types of gloves like latex or vinyl? Don’t worry - we’ve got all the answers you need when it comes to disposable nitrile gloves.
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Believe it or not, nitrile is a form of rubber. Its full name, nitrile butadiene rubber, classifies it technically as a type of latex. Yet unlike traditional latex, nitrile doesn’t have any traditional latex - or latex proteins - in it. Instead, it’s a completely synthetic version that makes it ideal for anyone who can’t wear traditional rubber latex gloves because of latex skin allergies.
The process for creating nitrile is chemically complex, as it involves mixing two synthetic rubber polymers together. These two copolymers, known as acrylonitrile and butadiene, are mixed, blended, and stabilized in order to create a thin, elastic synthetic latex that is then shaped into nitrile gloves.
Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber called nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). This material is a copolymer derived from acrylonitrile and butadiene, which are the primary components. The manufacturing process involves polymerizing these two compounds to create a durable and flexible material. This synthetic rubber offers superior resistance to chemicals, oils, and punctures compared to natural rubber latex, making it an ideal choice for various industries, including medical, automotive, and food processing.
The production of nitrile gloves involves several stages, including compounding, dipping, and curing. Initially, the raw materials are mixed with additives to enhance their properties, such as strength and elasticity. The mixture is then formed into gloves by dipping ceramic or aluminum hand molds into the nitrile compound. After dipping, the gloves undergo a curing process, which involves heating to stabilize the material and ensure durability. This process results in a final product that provides excellent protection, comfort, and tactile sensitivity for users, making nitrile gloves a popular alternative to latex and vinyl gloves.
There are a number of reasons why nitrile, and nitrile gloves in particular, were developed. First and foremost there is the allergy problem; a significant percentage of people who would otherwise wear latex gloves as part of their everyday jobs simply couldn’t because of latex skin allergies. This meant they had the unenviable choice of either wearing gloves made from different materials that didn’t provide the same capabilities of latex or risk discomfort and pain through allergic reactions.
There are more reasons why nitrile gloves are a better choice than one made with natural rubber or latex materials, though. Nitrile gloves have a higher resistance to acids and oils than those made from natural latex, which makes them advantageous when people are in situations where they may be exposed to such material. Nitrile gloves are also naturally abrasion and puncture resistant as well, which adds even more protection to the wearer. Finally, nitrile gloves, even disposable nitrile gloves, provide high levels of tactile sensitivity and conform very well to the hand - sometimes even better than a natural latex glove.
When it comes to nitrile gloves, they can be used in an almost unlimited number of ways and across dozens, if not hundreds, of professions. In fact, thanks to the nature of these gloves, nitrile has often become the first choice for many professionals throughout the globe. Nitrile gloves are often used in the following ways, though this is certainly not a complete list:
Since a nitrile glove is created through a synthetic process, many may think that these types of gloves may not be as easy to dispose of as a traditional latex glove or one made from a different type of material. While it is true that nitrile is much more durable than traditional latex, a nitrile glove is indeed biodegradable, just like its traditional latex cousin. This process does take longer than natural latex, however, due to the synthetic nature of this latex.
At the same time, nitrile gloves have an advantage over latex in that they can be recycled, whereas a typical latex glove cannot. Recycling nitrile gloves isn’t as easy as typical consumer recyclables, though. Instead, nitrile glove manufacturers have programs where they offer collection and return services for their own personal protective equipment made out of recyclable materials (including nitrile) so that this equipment can be recycled properly.
The nitrile glove was relatively rare at first after they were originally developed. This scarcity was due to manufacturing costs being relatively high compared to traditional latex, and this cost was often passed along to the consumer. As a result, when nitrile first came onto the market, these gloves, despite how they tended to be of higher quality than latex, were often used sparingly and often only for individuals who needed a hypoallergenic glove option.
Today, by comparison, nitrile gloves are much more common. New manufacturing techniques have reduced the cost of making nitrile, which has made it a competitive choice. Now, the fact that individuals can wear nitrile when they can’t wear latex is just another perk next to nitrile’s increased durability, its versatility, and its ability to be recycled and reused. As a result, nitrile has become increasingly popular across multiple industries.
Will nitrile ever completely replace traditional latex? Most likely not. Will it continue to provide the best of both worlds for a long time to come? It’s almost certain. Nitrile is here to stay!
Medical-grade gloves are an important aspect of infection control. With so many options available, choosing the best disposable gloves for your team can be difficult.
Safco Dental Supply is proud to offer a wide range of dental infection control products. Within this article, we will help you determine which type of medical glove is best for your practice.
Gloves are an integral piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) which help support optimal infection control.
Dental professionals come in close contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces or objects each and every day. In the dental industry, PPE is absolutely crucial in protecting the health of both patient and provider alike.
Medical gloves provide a protective barrier against disease transmission through blood, saliva, and other contaminated surfaces or objects.
Medical gloves are an important type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They protect healthcare professionals and prevent the spread of illness.
Each type of disposable glove provides a different level of protection, unique features, and different benefits.
We’ve reviewed each type of medical glove to help you choose the best option for your dental practice. In the following sections, we will explore the various specifications of the following types of dental gloves:
Latex is a natural rubber made from the milky white sap of the rubberwood tree or Hevea brasiliensis. Machines filter the latex from the sap transforming it through a process of blending, coagulation and drying.
Due to the nature of the natural rubber fibers in the end product, latex gloves are disposable and biodegradable.
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In the medical and dental community, latex gloves are often regarded as one of the top choices, ideal for even the most precise of surgeries or procedures.
Consider the following benefits of latex gloves:
When considering the use of latex gloves for your dental practice, it is important to also weigh the potential cons.
Consider the following drawbacks of latex gloves:
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Nitrile gloves are another excellent option if you are looking to avoid natural latex and don’t want to skimp out on durability.
Nitrile is BPA, latex, powder, phthalate, and vinyl free. It is a synthetic compound that features superior chemical and puncture resistance, and is becoming a top favorite within the medical and dental field. Let’s break down the pros and cons of nitrile gloves.
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Nitrile gloves boast a wide range of benefits and are quickly becoming a favorite in the dental field.
Consider the following benefits of nitrile gloves:
Keeping the benefits of nitrile gloves in mind, consider the drawbacks, as well.
Consider the following drawbacks of nitrile gloves:
Chloroprene is a durable type of synthetic rubber that mimics the look and feel of natural latex. This type of medical glove should not trigger latex allergies.
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Chloroprene gloves are ideal for a wide range of clinical applications and are known to be the closest alternative to latex gloves - without the risk of possible allergic reactions to latex. Continue reading for a full breakdown of the pros and cons of dental chloroprene gloves.
Consider the following benefits of chloroprene gloves:
Of course, it is important to consider the drawbacks that come along with the use of chloroprene gloves.
Consider the following drawbacks of chloroprene gloves:
Vinyl gloves are made from a synthetic material known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are widely regarded as one of the most low-cost medical glove options. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of vinyl gloves in dentistry.
Consider the following benefits of vinyl gloves:
Consider the following drawbacks of vinyl gloves:
There are some notable differences between each type of medical glove; read on to learn more.
Each type of glove is made up of a different type of material. Each type of material has specific purposes and benefits.
As previously discussed, latex allergies are quite common. In order to avoid possible allergic reactions in both staff members and patients alike, it is best to opt for a non-allergenic option. Nitrile, vinyl, and chloroprene gloves are all excellent non-allergenic medical glove options.
As you have learned here, there are many deciding factors in the process of choosing the right glove for your dental practice.
Whatever your preferences or needs, Safco Dental Supply is here to provide you with top-tier products, such as:
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There are a few other things to consider when choosing the types of medical gloves that work best for you, such as:
Chlorination is a process that hardens the gloves’ surface with hypochlorite or chlorine gas. This decreases surface friction, creating a glove that has a superior grip and is easy to put on and take off without the use of powder.
The truth is that there is no specific type of glove that is better than the rest. The type of glove that best suits your dental practice depends on your needs.
When choosing disposable gloves for your practice, be sure to take a look at the product specifications; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires any and all materials used to make the gloves to be clearly listed.
Looking for some assistance in choosing the best medical gloves? Feel free to contact us anytime and learn more about the dental industry and shop top supplies from the experts at Safco Dental.
Give us a call at 800.621. to speak with one of our experts about different types of dental gloves.
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