Comparative evaluation of three noninvasive gingival displacement systems: An in vivo study

AIM: An attempt is made to investigate clinical efficacy of cord, paste system, and a strip gingival retractile materials. This study aims to evaluate and compare the gingival retraction efficacy of retraction strip along with conventional retraction cord and paste system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This in vivo experimental study was carried out on 30 patients. Three different gingival retraction systems were used to evaluate the amount of vertical and lateral displacement. Based on selection criteria, 30 individuals requiring fixed dental prosthesis with respect to mandibular first molar were selected. Tooth preparation for metal ceramic restoration with subgingival finish line was performed. Gingival displacement was accomplished with ultrapak cord, merocel strip, and magic foam cord immediately, 7 and 14 days after the tooth preparation, respectively. The amount of gingival displacement in vertical and lateral directions was measured at mesiobuccal, midbuccal, and distobuccal regions of the prepared tooth. The vertical retraction was measured intraorally by using digital vernier caliper, and postgingival displacement impression was used to measure lateral gingival retraction. Stereomicroscopic images of impression under ×10 resolution were transferred to image analyzer to measure the lateral displacement. The obtained data analyzed in one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test were used to determine the significant difference at P < 0.05 level. RESULTS: ANOVA test showed the significant difference between the materials tested with respect to the mean vertical and lateral gingival retraction (P = 0.001). Multiple comparisons by Bonferroni test revealed a significant difference in vertical and lateral displacement among the materials tested. CONCLUSIONS: Merocel strip provided the maximum amount of vertical and lateral tissue displacement, followed by ultrapak cord and least with magic foam cord which was statistically significant.