Evaluation of a novel compule-based gingival retraction system in UK general dental practices FJ Trevor Burke Russell John Crisp Dental Update 2025 41:5, 432-438.
Primary Dental Care Research Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, School of Medical and Dental Sciences, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK
Twelve members were selected at random from the PREP panel, a group of UK-based dentists who are prepared to carry out research in their practices. A questionnaire was designed to determine the views of the participants, who were asked to use the retraction paste capsules where clinically indicated. They were asked to return the questionnaire after 8 weeks and the information contained therein was collated and presented mainly on visual analogue scales (VAS). A total of 160 impressions were taken using the Astringent Retraction Paste (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) plus use in the placement of 25 restorations. Of evaluators, 83% (n = 10) agreed that Astringent Retraction Paste was a suitable product for gingival retraction and 75% (n = 9) agreed that it had good haemostatic properties. Overall dispensing and handling of the paste was rated as 4.9 on a VAS scale where 1 = Inconvenient and 5 = Convenient. The viscosity of the paste was rated as 3.6 on a VAS where 1 = too thin and 5 = too thick. Good scores were achieved across all criteria for the product.
Clinical Relevance: Practitioners may wish to be aware of a novel compule-based gingival retraction system.
Article
Retraction of the gingival tissues is a central part of indirect dental restorations to facilitate identification of the restoration margins and to allow the root contour apical to the margins to be replicated to facilitate the achievement of a satisfactory emergence profile with the final restoration.
A number of methods are available to the clinician, including:
A more general classification for gingival retraction techniques has been suggested by Donovan and Chee, namely mechanical, chemical, surgical and combinations of the three.1 None of these has gained total acceptance, and there is little consensus regarding their effectiveness.2 Some, such as retraction cords, may be considered to have drawbacks, which include:
It is not the purpose of this paper to review the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques. For this, readers are referred to the comprehensive literature review by Bennani and colleagues.3
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