Bioclear vs. Conventional Matrices for the Management of Anterior Black Triangles

To compare 6-month periodontal outcomes and restoration quality between Bioclear and conventional resin restorations in the management of anterior black triangles.

Randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Periodontology, Hefei Stomatological Hospital, Hefei Stomatology Clinical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, from February 2023 to December 2024.

Seventy-one participants with black triangles were randomised into three groups: Bioclear (BCL; flowable resin with Bioclear matrices, n = 24), conventional (CONV; layered resin with transparent matrices, n = 23), and control (CTRL; no restoration, n = 24). Primary outcomes included gingival recession (REC), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), and restoration quality (modified USPHS criteria). Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Three-group continuous data (mean ± SD) were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and categorical data (%) were examined by chi-square test, with a p <0.05 considered statistically significant.

At 6 months, the BCL group exhibited significantly less REC progression (0.15 ± 0.06 mm) compared to CONV (0.42 ± 0.27mm, p <0.001) and CTRL groups (0.63 ± 0.23 mm, p <0.001). Bioclear restorations demonstrated superior marginal adaptation (91.7% scores vs. 60.9% Alpha, p = 0.013) and reduced surface roughness (87.5% vs. 56.5% Alpha, p = 0.018). BOP (+) sites decreased in the BCL group (20.8%→4.2%) but increased in the CONV group (21.7%→26.1%, p = 0.032). No significant PD changes were observed across the groups (p = 0.11). The CONV group had an 8% restoration failure rate, while no Bioclear restorations failed (p = 0.14).

Compared to conventional techniques, Bioclear matrix system-based restorations resulted in significantly less REC progression and superior marginal adaptation, demonstrating clinical advantages for periodontal health in the management of anterior black triangles.

Bioclear matrix system, Black triangle, Gingival recession, Resin restoration, Periodontal outcomes.