New Zealand dentists' use of gingival retraction techniques for fixed prosthodontics and implants.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the techniques most commonly used in New Zealand for gingival retraction for impressions of natural teeth and implants in fixed prosthodontics.


METHODS
Postal survey of a random sample of dentists


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA). Data were analysed using SPSS.


RESULTS
The response rate was 51%. Veneer, crown and bridge treatments were routinely carried out by 89% of respondents, while implant treatment and/or implant-supported prostheses were provided by 65%. Around natural teeth, gingival retraction was mainly achieved with surgery (including electrosurgery, laser and rotary curettage) and/ or cord, by 82% of dentists. Cord with chemicals was used by 63% and plain cord by 37%. Gingival retraction around implants was used by 18%. Among the latter, the most popular gingival retraction method for use around implants was plain cord (used by 31%), while 25% used cord with chemicals. Another 23% reported using surgery as their means of gingival retraction around implants, while 19% reported using Expasyl (Pierre-Roland), and 2% reported using Magic Foam Cord (Dentsply), both of which are injectable matrices for gingival retraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Dentists in New Zealand undertake a considerable amount of fixed prosthodontic and implant work. Gingival retraction around natural teeth is used commonly, while only a small number of participants report using it for implants. A surprising finding was the relatively high number of participants who reported using surgery for gingival retraction around natural teeth.
Al-Ani
Azza
A
Auckland District Health Board, Greenlane Clinical Centre, NZ.
Bennani
Vincent
V
Chandler
Nicholas P
NP
Lyons
Karl M
KM
Thomson
W Murray
WM
D001252:Astringents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003442:Crowns; D003475:Curettage; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D004598:Electrosurgery; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005890:Gingivectomy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D013997:Time Factors
D001252:Astringents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015921:Dental Implants