Aim: the current study was conducted to compare technique sensitivity and gingival health of carious and non-carious cervical lesions performed using subgingival clamps and retraction cords.
Methodology: 24 teeth with carious or non-carious cervical lesions were divided randomly into 2 groups receiving one of the two gingival retraction techniques, either subgingival clamp (KSK clamp #44) or retraction cord (Ultrapak E), technique sensitivity was evaluated at baseline (before application) and immediately after application while gingival health was evaluated before and immediately after application, 2 weeks, 1 and 4 months. Statistical analysis was done using t-test, Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test where significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: There was a statistical significant difference between retraction cord and subgingival clamp regarding time of application and gingival laceration, where retraction cord took longer application time (p=0.01) and subgingival clamp showed higher laceration frequency (P=0.033). Regarding patient satisfaction, isolation from crevicular fluids, need for local anesthesia, pink esthetic score, gingival bleeding and sensitivity, there was no statistical significant difference between both groups.
Conclusion: Technique sensitivity and long term gingival health were the same for both groups except that subgingival clamp provided minimal chairside time and care should be taken upon clamp application to avoid gingival laceration.