AWARENESS ON METHODS OF GINGIVAL RETRACTION AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS

Introduction: Gingival retraction is the procedure whereby gingival tissues are deflected away from the tooth to expose the crevicular part or the prepared tooth margins. Retraction cord has been in use in dentistry since time immemorial and is fairly predictable in achieving the required retraction. Gingival retraction methods can cause an inflammatory response mainly due to mechanical trauma or the chemical agents present in the astringents. The aim of this study is to create awareness on the methods of gingival retraction among dental students. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through an online survey from February to April 2021 among 100 undergraduates. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Saveetha Dental College. Data was analysed with the SPSS version (22.0). Descriptive statistics as percent were calculated to summarise qualitative data. Chi square test was used to analyze and represented in a pie chart form. Results: Based on the awareness about gingival retraction 58.9% were aware and the remaining 41.41% were not aware. 56.57% felt gingival retraction is necessary and the remaining 43.43% felt it is unnecessary. Conclusion: Dentists should be familiar with a range of gingival retraction techniques, including their indications, contraindications, and potential hazards Most dentists still use retraction cords and medicament solutions for gingival retraction.