Current methods of finish-line exposure by practicing prosthodontists.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to survey members of The American College of Prosthodontists to evaluate current methods of finish-line exposure. In addition, frequency of use of epinephrine compounds and observed side effects were assessed.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to the 2,436 members of The American College of Prosthodontists. Group differences were evaluated using chi 2 analysis.


RESULTS
Completed questionnaires were returned by 1,246 prosthodontists, which is a return rate of 51%. Ninety-eight percent of respondent prosthodontists use retraction cord, and 48% use a double-cord technique. Plain cord is the most commonly used cord (44%), followed by aluminum chloride-impregnated cord (18%), and epinephrine-impregnated cord (14%). Nine hundred one respondents (81%) soak the cord before placing it in the gingival sulcus. The most common medicament for soaking the cords is buffered aluminum chloride (55%). Side effects to epinephrine were reported by 387 respondents (33%), with the most common side effect reported being increased pulse rate, followed by anxiety. Approximately one quarter (24%) of the prosthodontists surveyed had observed side effects to chemical agents other than epinephrine.


CONCLUSIONS
Prosthodontists throughout the country use many different techniques and agents to expose finish lines. No statistically significant differences (p > .05) were found between year of specialty training completion groups with respect to retraction cord use. Copper bands are used significantly more frequently (p < .05) in the northwest region of the United States than elsewhere.
Hansen
P A
PA
School of Dentistry, Graduate Prosthodontics, University of Missouri-Kansas City 64108, USA. Hans398@aol.com
Tira
D E
DE
Barlow
J
J
D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001252:Astringents; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002712:Chlorides; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D004837:Epinephrine; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001252:Astringents; D002712:Chlorides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; C024823:ferric sulfate; D004837:Epinephrine