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Fully digital pneumatic gingival-retraction scanning technique: from methodology development to clinical validation
Xinkai Xu1, Sukun Tian2, Meizi Zhang2
1Center of Digital Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
A new pneumatic gingival-retraction scanning (PGR-S) technique offers a less invasive and faster alternative to traditional methods. This innovative approach improves patient comfort and clinical efficiency in dental procedures.
Area of Science:
- Dental Technology
- Minimally Invasive Dentistry
- Digital Dentistry
Background:
- Traditional gingival retraction methods using cords can cause patient discomfort, soft tissue trauma, and inaccuracies in digital impression matching.
- Existing techniques present technical challenges that limit their clinical applicability and patient acceptance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel pneumatic gingival-retraction scanning (PGR-S) technique.
- To compare the effectiveness, patient experience, and operating time of PGR-S against traditional gingival cord-retained scanning (GC-S) and gingival cord-removed silicone impression (GC-I) methods.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, self-controlled clinical trial involving 60 participants was conducted.
- The study utilized a scanning-airflow integrated system and a polar coordinate-based point cloud stitching algorithm for PGR-S.
- Data collected included gingival retraction effectiveness, subjective patient evaluations (comfort, pain, nausea, dryness), and procedure operating times.
Main Results:
- PGR-S demonstrated superior gingival retraction effectiveness (302.9 ± 124.9 µm) compared to traditional methods.
- Significant improvements in patient comfort were reported with PGR-S, although increased tissue dryness was noted.
- The operating time for PGR-S (70.48 ± 17.90 s) was significantly shorter than for gingival cord techniques (194.78 ± 42.81 s).
Conclusions:
- The novel PGR-S technique is effective for gingival retraction, offering reduced operating times and enhanced patient comfort.
- PGR-S represents a promising minimally invasive alternative for gingival retraction combined with intraoral scanning.
- This technique has the potential to improve overall patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in restorative dentistry.
