In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of retention rubber dam clamps used on premolar teeth during rubber dam isolation on gingival health. The teeth to which retention clamps are applied were not undergo any restorative procedures. Retention clamps applied to maxillary premolars during routine rubber dam isolation for performing anterior restorations. The application time of the retention clamps were limited as maximum 2 hours. Before starting the treatment, patients signed information and consent forms. In the present study, direct composite restorations were planned under local anesthesia, and it was planned to evaluate the effects of retention clamps on periodontal tissues and patient comfort. After the isolation, direct composite restorations were performed.
\- Data collection method Changes in periodontal tissues were evaluated; using plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, keratinized gingiva, attached gingiva, relative gingival margin level, relative attachment level after the procedure at different times (pre-restoration, after restoration). It was evaluated immediately after, 1 week later, 1 month later, 3 months later. The evaluation time was planned not to exceed 10 minutes, restorations are done by a single specialist in Marmara University Restorative Dentistry Department.
Restorative materials used in the study; Nic Tone Thick (Dental Dam, Nic Tone, Romania) was used as a rubber-dam rubber cover for patients. In addition, sterile frames (Hu-Friedy Group, USA), forceps (Hu-Friedy Group, USA) and puncher (Hu-Friedy Group, USA) were used as rubber-dam instruments on patients. For gingival retention, Hu-Friedy Black Line 2X clamps (Hu-Friedy Group, USA) were used.
Clinical Index and Measurements Determination of Gingival Phenotype Evaluating the visibility of the silhouette of the periodontal probe inserted into the sulcus is a technique used to determine the phenotype. If the silhouette of the probe placed in the sulcus is visible, the gingiva is considered thin, and if it is not, the gingiva is considered thick.
Keratinized Gums The distance between the mucogingival junction and the gingival margin were measured as the width of the keratinized gingiva after the alveolar mucosa was pushed and curved coronally and with periodontal probe and the mucogingival junction was determined.
Attached Gingiva The distance between the mucogingival junction and the floor of gingival sulcus was measured as the width of the attached gingiva.
Plaque Index For each tooth, plaque index measurements were made from 4 regions as mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, midpalatinal.
Bleeding on Probing Bleeding on probing was examined in 6 regions of each tooth: mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiopalatinal, midpalatinal, and distopalatinal. (+) or (-) values were given according to the presence or absence of bleeding that occurs after the Unc (University of North Carolina) probe examination.
Probing Depth For each of the initially selected teeth, probing depth measurements were made in a total of 6 regions: mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiopalatinal, midpalatinal, and distopalatinal surfaces.
Relative Attachment Level Using the Chu\'s Gauge handpiece, it was placed on the incisal edge of the incisors, the incisal guide edge of the handpiece was taken as the fixed guide point, and the distance between the floor of gingival sulcus and the incisal guide edge was measured and recorded with a periodontal probe. Relative attachment level measurement was made in 6 regions, mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiopalatinal, midpalatinal, and distopalatinal surfaces of each tooth.
Relative Gingival Margin Level Using the Chu\'s Gauge handpiece, it was placed on the incisal edge of the incisors, the incisal guide edge of the handpiece was taken as the fixed guide point, and the distance between the incisal guide and the gingival margin was measured and recorded. Relative gingival margin level measurement was made in a total of 6 regions of each tooth: mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual/palatinal, mesiopalatinal, midpalatinal, and distopalatinal surfaces.
Evaluation of Restorations Restorations were evaluated according to FDI (Fédération Dentaire Internationale) criteria.
