Gingival displacement methods used by dental professionals: A survey

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify the methods used by dental professionals for gingival displacement before making impressions for fixed prostheses. Materials and Methods: A printed questionnaire was distributed to over 600 dentists at a National Dental Conference held in Hyderabad. The questionnaire was designed to know the preferred method of gingival displacement, medicament used, frequency of performing gingival displacement, etc. The results were analyzed and represented in the form of percentage. This method of survey distribution was selected to reach dental professionals in a wide range. Results: Of 600 dentists who received the questionnaire, 63.3% returned properly filled forms. Sixty-eight percentage of respondents advocate gingival displacement for all fixed prostheses cases, 23% of respondents use for long span fixed prostheses cases, and 9% of respondents use gingival displacement only for selected cases. Among the respondents, 69% preferred to use chemicomechanical method, 16% surgical method, 9% of respondents preferred to use the mechanical method. Conclusion: The choice of technique and material for gingival displacement depends on the operator's judgment of the clinical situation apart from the availability of the materials.

Keywords

• Gingival displacement
• gingival retraction
• retraction cord