Purpose:This randomised clinical study was to assess cordless techniques compared to conventional cords in gingival displacement and effect on periodontal health.
Material and Methods: Forty participants having a premolar abutment were elected following inclusion criteria and allocated by using parallel randomization into four groups (n=10) for gingival retraction either with Ultrapak, GingiTrac, Traxodent or NoCord. By single-blinded operator, the horizontal gingival displacement as a primary outcome was measured on pre- and post-retraction polyether impressions utilizing a stereomicroscope. As secondary outcomes, the placement time and bleeding after removal were noted. The periodontal parameters; plaque index, gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD) were recorded pre-operative, 1- and 7-days post-operative.
Results: There was a non-significant gingival displacement difference among groups (P=.282) and a significant difference within each group. GI elevated in all groups after one day as Traxodent exhibited the highest value (p<.001). After seven days, it returned to a non-significant value compared to the baseline except for GingiTrac and Traxodent which were significantly higher (p<.001). PD of Ultrapak and GingiTrac were non-significant in all-time hiatuses, while Traxodent and NoCord revealed a significance. After seven days, Traxodent showed higher PD than the baseline (p<.001). Ultrapak induced maximal bleeding (50%), while NoCord showed no bleeding.
Conclusion: Cordless retraction systems showed similar horizontal gingival displacement compared to conventional cords.NoCord can be considered an alternative retraction system, providing an effortless placement, good gingival displacement and no bleeding. All techniques induced an interim gingival inflammation; Traxodent showed the highest level. GingiTrac and Traxodent demonstrated delaying recovery.