Gingival displacement with polytetrafluoroethylene tape for intraoral scanning: a descriptive pilot case series

To evaluate the clinical performance of a proposed technique using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape for gingival displacement in digital prosthodontics, and its ability to enable effective intraoral scanning without removal.

Twenty teeth with subgingival margins were treated using 0.076 mm PTFE tape, inserted circumferentially into the sulcus, and retained during scanning. Displacement and scan quality were assessed through seven parameters: finish line visibility, PTFE indentation, gingival artifacts, epigingival contour, sulcular expansion, tissue trauma, and scan reproducibility. Two independent prosthodontists used a standardized 5-point Likert scale for scoring. Inter-examiner reliability was evaluated with Cohen's kappa and Gwet's AC1.

Finish lines were fully visible in 90 % of scans, while complete epigingival contour capture was obtained in 80 %. Sulcular expansion of at least 0.2 mm was achieved in 90 % of teeth. All scans were free from gingival artifacts, and PTFE indentations indicated consistent tissue compression. No bleeding or lacerations were observed, with 90 % of sites rated as atraumatic. Inter-examiner agreement was high across all parameters, with Cohen's κ ranging from 0.89 to 1.00 and Gwet's AC1 between 0.92 and 1.00, confirming robust reproducibility of the evaluations.

This pilot study suggests that PTFE tape may provide a well-tolerated and reproducible method for gingival displacement during intraoral scanning.

PTFE tape may represent a feasible and effective option for gingival displacement during intraoral scanning. It was well tolerated and allowed clinically acceptable margin visibility without removal.