title: New Zealand dentists' use of gingival retraction techniques for fixed prosthodontics and implants.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Auckland District Health Board, Greenlane Clinical Centre, NZ.
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Ani
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bennani
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Karl M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: W Murray
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001252:Astringents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015921:Dental Implants