Efficacy of two gingival retraction systems on lateral gingival displacement: A prospective clinical study

Gingival management is a substantive procedure in fixed dental prosthesis treatment. Various new retraction cord systems are available and used. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a new retraction cord (Stay-Put, Coltene Whaledent AG) and a conventional retraction cord (Ultrapak, Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, Utah) on lateral gingival displacement in continuation with the treatment protocol of the subjects fixed dental prosthesis for various partial edentulous conditions requiring fixed dental prosthesis.

Thirty subjects were selected who needed bilateral fixed dental restoration. In selected subjects both gingival retraction cords were placed bilaterally buccolingually by simple randomization method. After removing the cords, impressions were made and undamaged definitive casts were retrieved. The abutment teeth were sectioned buccolingually at the buccal ridge followed by decimal measurement of the width (in millimeter) of the retracted gingival sulcus, under a traveling microscope.

Data was analyzed using SPSS version. Paired "t" test was used to compare the difference between the displaced gingival width in two retraction group (p > 0.05).

Although mean gingival retraction in Stay-Put system (0.528 ± 0.12 mm) was higher as compared to that in Ultrapak (0.487 ± 0.10 mm), the difference between the two systems (0.041 ± 0.11) was not significant statistically (p = 0.057).