Dentists of Belgorod State University invent a cost-effective method of estimating the gingival margin retraction

Dental operations such as teeth fillings, whitening, dental impressions and veneering can involve gum retraction, or edging. Retraction, as explained by Professor of General Dentistry Department of Belgorod State University, Doctor of Medicine Alexander Kopytov, is a change in the gingival margin topography and is usually performed with the help of a retraction cord.

Currently, dentists determine the distance of gingival margin retraction by making two impressions and a plaster model that enable to measure the distance between the given points of a tooth. According to the experts, this method is labor intensive, requires certain consumables for making impressions, takes time and can lead to distortion of the dental impression result.

Researchers at Belgorod State University developed a more accurate and less time-consuming method to determine the distance for gingival margin retraction. The new method does not require using additional consumables to estimate the distance.

The scientific invention will be applied in plaster models production, treatment of teeth affected by cervical caries. It also eliminates the risk of gum margin damage during therapeutic treatment and other dental procedures such as professional oral hygiene and teeth whitening.