Evaluation of the histopathologic effects of two different retraction solutions in gingival tissue

The purpose of this study was to determine the histopathologic effects in gingival tissues of two different retraction solutions those were used commonly for clinical practicş. In this in vivo study, 10% solution of aluminum chloride and 15.5% solution of ferric sulfate were used as retraction medicaments and dogs were used as the experimental animals. The cords saturated with medicaments were allowed to remain for 3 minutes in the gingival sulcus of the experimental animals. After removal of the cords, biopsies of the gingiva were taken at 30 minutes, 24 hours, 7 days and 12 days. For all specimens histological evaluation was performed to determine the degree of epithelial loss, alteration of the connective tissue and inflammation. The results were also analyzed statistically. When the histopathologic analysis was performed, it was observed that the aluminum chloride solution caused no significant histopahologic changes but the ferric sulfate solution caused significant changes in gingival tissues at early time intervals. On the other hand the tissues returned to normal by 12 days after retraction. As a conclusion, the biological maintenance of aluminum chloride solution is more satisfactory than ferric sulfate solution.