An absorbent insert of compressed matrix of absorbent material, including a filler dispersed therein to improve stiffness/rigidity of the insert and controls the absorbency of the compressed absorbent material. The insert is pre-shaped and sized for inserting into a tooth cavity, such as a pulp chamber or a root canal space. The compressed insert expands or swells upon absorbing fluid within the tooth cavity, so as to more completely dry the tooth cavity. The absorbent insert also serves as a substrate of an applicator for medical agent to be applied to a tooth cavity. The absorbent insert is provided (e.g., coated or impregnated) with a medical agent, which medical agent is released into the tooth cavity as the absorbent material absorbs fluid in the tooth cavity.

An absorbent insert of compressed matrix of absorbent material, including a filler dispersed therein to improve stiffness/rigidity of the insert and controls the absorbency of the compressed absorbent material. The insert is pre-shaped and sized for inserting into a tooth cavity, such as a pulp chamber or a root canal space. The compressed insert expands or swells upon absorbing fluid within the tooth cavity, so as to more completely dry the tooth cavity. The absorbent insert also serve as a substrate of an applicator for medical agent to be applied to a tooth cavity. The absorbent insert is provided (e.g., coated or impregnated) with a medical agent, which medical agent is released into the tooth cavity as the absorbent material absorbs fluid in the tooth cavity.

A method of making an absorbent insert for absorbing fluid in a root canal. Forming a body in a pre-compressed state prior to use, having a matrix of absorbent material. The matrix of absorbent material swells upon absorbing fluid after the body in the pre-compressed state has been inserted into the root canal. In the forming process, a sheet of absorbent material is compressed to form a compressed sheet, which is cut and shaped to form an insert. Cutting and shaping is by using complementary split mold halves which together define a cavity corresponding to the body of the insert and stamping the compressed sheet with the split mold halves to form the body of the insert.