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Introduction: The length of retraction time is important for the adequate expansion of the gingival sulcus. Thus, it is crucial to determine the appropriate retraction time which gives adequate expansion of the sulcus without any damage to the surrounding periodontal tissues.

Objective: To compare and evaluate the effect of different retraction time, with two chemically different
retraction cords (ASCT and Ultrapak) on the width of gingival sulcus, using 3D model analysis.
Materials and Method: Forty mandibular right and left first premolar of 20 volunteers were included in the study. Aluminum sulphate and epinephrine impregnated cords were used. The cords were left in the buccal sulcus for 5, 10 and 15 min respectively in three consecutive visit. Impressions and stone models were made before and after the gingival retraction. 3D data were acquired using 3D laser scanner and were superimposed. The sulcus width with different retraction time, at mid buccal and transitional line angle area, with different retraction cords were measured and compared.

Result: The expansion of gingival sulcus between 5 and 10 min were significantly different at MB and TLA with both the cords. The sulcus width between retraction of 10 and 15 min were also statistically different both at TLA and MB but is less significant when compared with 5 and 10 min with both the cords. Sulcus width at MB were significantly greater than at TLA for 5, 10 and 15 min with both types of cords. The expansion of sulcus width between two types of cords is not statistically different.

Conclusion: The optimal time for retraction of gingival tissue for single cord technique is 10min. There is no significant difference in the expansion of gingival sulcus with ASCT and Ultrapak, so both types of cord can be used equally considering the systemic effect of medicaments.

Gingival retraction; gingival sulcus width; three-dimensional; tissue hemostasis.