Application of α-adrenomimetic decongestants as chemical agents for gingival retraction

Abstract

PURPOSE : The purpose of this study is to observe, compare and evaluate the effect of two α-adrenomimetic decongestants which are clinically approved nasal and eye drops - 0,05% xylometazoline hydrochloride and 0,05% tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, when applied as chemical agents for chemo-mechanical retraction of free gingiva prior to impression making in fixed prosthodontics. MATERIALS AND METHODS : The study includes 90 prepared abutment teeth indicated for fixed prosthodontic treatment. α-adrenomimetic decongestants in the composition of 2 approved for clinical usage nasal and eye drops commercial products were applied as chemical agents for gingival retraction - Xylometazoline ( 0,05% xylometazoline hydrochloride) and Visine ( 0,05% tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride). Ultrapak retraction cord of four different sizes impregnated with the investigated chemical agents was used. Two steps two-layered impressions with polyvinyl and polydimethylsiloxane were taken from the prosthetic fields. Impression sections were fabricated and studied under microscope. RESULTS : The low viscosity polyvinyl and polydimethyl siloxane layers tend to penetrate deeper in the gingival groove after chemo-mechanical retraction with Xylometazoline compared to the second group impressions fabricated after Visine retraction. CONCLUSION : The conducted testing demonstrated that effective retraction of the free marginal gingiva is possible to obtain with α-adernomimetic decongestants. 0,05% xylometazoline hydrochloride (Xylometazoline) provides better results in comparison to the eye decongestant drops 0,05% tеtrahydrozoline hydrochloride (Visine).