Tissue management with a new gingival retraction material: a preliminary clinical report.

A new retraction material (Merocel) was evaluated in a clinical trial with 10 selected abutments. Each selected abutment required an anterior single unit. A comparison of probing attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index demonstrated highly successful periodontal maintenance. The main advantage of Merocel retraction material is that it is capable of innocuously expanding the gingival sulcus. This preliminary study suggested that a Merocel strip was a predictable retraction material in conjunction with impression procedures. The material was also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and demonstrated promise in this investigation. The Merocel strip shows potential for other applications, but limitations of this material indicated that evolution of atraumatic gingival retraction should continue.