Gingival retraction is one of the first and most important steps when preparing to obtain a good quality impression. This is done to create a liquid-free environment, record more detail and give a clearer working view of the tooth.

The two most common methods of achieving this are with retraction cord and with retraction paste. Though cord has traditionally been more popular, retraction paste is steadily becoming the preferred choice for many because of the safety and comfort it provides patients.

Gingival Retraction Methods

Dentists have a choice of two materials for dental retraction, these are retraction cord and retraction paste. Surgical retraction which involves opening the tissues with a scalpel or similar electronic appliance is another option but is generally considered a last resort. Gingival retraction cord is made of various textile blends of wool, silk, cotton, and synthetic fibres, which are twisted, braided, or knitted together. The cord is inserted gently below the gum line and into the gingival sulcus around the tooth or teeth that are being prepared for an impression.

With retraction paste, a tip is placed into the sulcus to retract the tissue. The paste is then injected from the tip directly into the sulcus. After around two minutes the paste can then be rinsed off using air-water spray to expose clear, blood-free margins ready for precise impression taking.

Though cord clearly still has a place in the industry, when it comes to patient safety and comfort retraction cord is more likely to cause negative side effects, discomfort, and minor injury. A clinical case which looked at the use of retraction paste for gingival displacement found that avoiding the use of cords during crown and veneer cementation prevented trauma and the soft tissues margins remained table and healthy after a period of 3 years. The study concluded that retraction pastes be indicated for displacement of soft tissue for subgingival preparation.