Efficacy of Various Cordless Gingival Retraction Systems for Gingival Displacement in Clinical Practice: A Protocol for a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Gingival retraction is widely used in fixed prosthodontics to record the gingival margins of prepared teeth and to make an impression to have better marginal adaptation of prosthesis. In Next-generation prosthodontics we are looking at methods to reduce discomfort trauma, increase working efficiency and evidence-based practice but traditional methods like mechanical, chemo-mechanical are time consuming, cause pain, discomfort, trauma, gingival recession, and epithelial attachment changes. To overcome this cordless retraction systems can be used. Different types of retraction materials have been used previously, but the comparative effect on retraction achieved by cordless retraction materials is not known.

Methods: Systematic Review will be conducted according to PRISMA-P guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024529013). Electronic systematic search of various databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, dimension free web, Science direct will be performed from the year 2013-2023 using a pre-defined search strategy. After scrutinizing the articles following inclusion- exclusion criteria, assessment of studies for risk of bias, reasons for exclusion of the studies, various characteristics of the studies included, and data extraction sheet preparation will be done. Meta-analysis will be done as possible.

Results: The results of the study will help us draw conclusions about which cordless gingival retraction system gives maximum retraction, improving clinicians’ efficiency.