Background: There is controversy regarding the postoperative effects of periodontal dressing on the periodontium, pain and discomfort. The aim of the present study was to compare postoperative pain following surgical crown lengthening with and without the use of periodontal dressing. Material and Methods: A blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out with 36 patients. Following surgical crown lengthening, the individuals were randomly allocated to the periodontal dressing group (PDG) and control group (CG - non-placement of periodontal dressing). Pain and discomfort were analyzed using a visual analog scale (VAS), verbal scale (VS) and the number of analgesics consumed in seven days postoperatively. Postoperative infection, stability of the gingival margin and type of healing were also evaluated.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
37
After surgery,the dressing was mixed with a sterile spatula on a sterile glass plate following the manufacturer's instructions (2 cm of each paste measured with a sterile endodontic ruler). Coe-PakTM Regular was the dressing employed. Mixing and placement were performed only by the specialists in periodontics to ensure standardization. The dressing was inserted into the surgical wounds and molded to the necessary shape after setting sufficiently. The removal of the periodontal dressing was done after seven days.
The dressing was not inserted.
School of Dentistry, Franciscan University Center
Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Position of the gingival margin
Following removal of the dressing, the examiner determined the position of the gingival margin. This position was determined individually using the same procedure performed in the immediate postoperative period based on the previously recorded fixed reference points. The determination of gingival recession, position of the gingival margin and gingival swelling was performed categorically, using the gingival margin in the immediate postoperative period for comparison.
Time frame: Seven days
Local infection
Infection was defined as present if the patient has at the surgical site, postoperative pain around the site, which increased in intensity at any time between 1 and 3 days after the procedure, with or without the presence of halitosis.
Time frame: seven Days
Healing
The healing of the surgical wound was evaluated based on the type of migration of the free edges of epithelium. Healing by first intention was determined by the migration of the epithelium toward the bed of the wound. Cases in which an area of conjunctive tissue and/or bone was uncovered by epithelium and re-epithelialization by the adjacent epithelium was occurring were classified as healing by second intention
Time frame: Seven Days
Pain and discomfort
A questionnaire for the evaluation of pain and sensitivity on the first, second, third and seventh days postoperatively was given to each patient to fill out at home. All evaluations involved a record of the number of analgesics taken as well as a visual analog scale (VAS, ranging from 0 \[absence of pain\] to 100 \[unbearable pain\] mm) and a verbal scale (VS) with the following responses: no pain; mild pain; moderate pain; severe pain; and very severe pain. The patients were instructed to fill out the scales between 8 and 9 pm every day. Following removal of the dressing, in seven days, the examiner administered the pain scales (VAS and VS).
Time frame: Seven days
Gingival bleeding
Following removal of the dressing, the examiner determined the presence of gingival bleeding as present or absent (Ainamo and Bay, 1975.
Time frame: Seven days
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