Table 2 The association between the sociodemographic variables and dentists’ knowledge and preference regarding GD techniques use based on their experience

Do you use any type of GD in your clinic?

Yes

144 (76.6)

83.8

71.3

61.3

76.5

78.9

82.9

75

77.2

78.3

66.7

68

75

83.9

66.7

82.8

81.4

57.9

P value

0.046

0.13

0.88

0.053

0.051

Use GD with:

Full coverage

130 (90.3)

92.5

88.3

100

86.5

86.7

91.4

93.3

90.2

91.5

66.7

94.1

80

89.7

88.5

91.7

85.7

100

P value

0.39

0.37

0.40

0.26

0.52

Partial coverage

75 (53.6)

51.5

55.4

42.1

42.3

53.8

67.9

65.5

50.8

52.2

33.3

38.8

73.3

59.2

50

47.1

69.7

54.5

P value

0.65

0.041

0.41

0.022

0.19

Composite

96 (68.6)

66.7

70.3

68.4

67.3

61.5

71.4

65.5

74.6

63

66.7

71.4

66.7

67.1

61.5

68.6

72.7

72.7

P value

0.65

0.91

0.62

0.87

0.81

Impression for implant

34 (24.3)

27.3

21.6

26.3

30.8

15.4

19.6

20.7

22

28.3

33.3

22.4

26.7

25

19.2

17.1

33.3

54.5

P value

0.44

0.49

0.79

0.92

0.026

Types of impressions that you use GD with it/them?

Digital

2 (1.4)

3

0

5.3

0

0

1.7

3.3

0

2.1

0

2

0

1.3

0

1.4

2.9

0

Conventional

70 (48.6)

43.3

53.2

52.6

57.7

40

41.4

40

49.2

51.1

66.7

54.9

46.7

44.9

61.5

48.6

34.3

63.6

Both

72 (50)

53.7

46.8

42.1

42.3

60

56.9

56.7

50.8

46.8

33.3

43.1

53.3

53.8

38.5

50

62.9

36.4

P value

0.19

0.37

0.74

0.79

0.40

In case of fixed prostheses, do you use GD during:

Preparation

62 (43.1)

53.7

33.8

57.9

44.2

26.7

41.4

43.3

41

42.6

66.7

51

46.7

37.2

42.3

48.6

28.6

54.5

P value

0.016

0.33

0.69

0.29

0.21

Impression

135 (93.8)

92.5

94.8

94.7

92.3

86.7

96.6

90

96.7

95.7

66.7

96.1

86.7

93.6

92.3

95.8

88.6

100

P value

0.58

0.52

0.11

0.47

0.33

Provisional -

25 (17.4)

26.9

9.1

21.1

19.2

13.3

15.5

10

23

14.9

16.7

15.7

20

17.9

19.2

15.3

22.9

9.1

P value

0.005

0.89

0.45

0.91

0.67

Cementation

39 (27.1)

32.8

22.1

31.6

15.4

26.7

36.2

43.3

23

25.5

0

19.6

20

33.3

26.9

23.6

34.3

27.3

P value

0.15

0.10

0.045

0.19

0.72

Which type of GD technique do you use?

Retraction cord

104 (72.2)

70.1

74

94.7

76.9

93.3

55.2

60

70.5

78.7

100

94.1

60

60.3

73.1

72.2

62.9

100

Cordless (retraction paste)

4 (2.8)

3

2.6

0

1.9

0

5.2

3.3

4.9

0

0

0

0

5.1

0

4.2

2.9

0

Cord and paste

36 (25)

26.9

23.4

5.3

21.2

6.7

39.7

36.7

24.6

21.3

0

5.9

40

34.6

26.9

23.6

34.3

0

P value

0.87

0.003

0.28

 < 0.001

0.30

What is the technique of retraction cord do you use?

Single technique

37 (25.7)

25.4

26

36.8

32.7

13.3

19

16.7

24.6

34

16.7

29.4

13.3

25.6

11.5

26.4

28.6

45.5

Double technique

10 (6.9)

7.5

6.5

21.1

0

0

10.3

10

4.9

8.5

0

7.8

0

7.7

23.1

4.2

2.9

0

Both (depends on the case)

97 (67.4)

67.2

67.5

42.1

67.3

86.7

70.7

73.3

70.5

57.4

83.3

62.7

86.7

66.7

65.4

69.4

68.6

54.5

P value

0.97

0.007

0.55

0.51

0.03

What is the technique of retraction cord do you use?

Twisted

43 (29.9)

35.8

24.7

10.5

40.4

26.7

27.6

26.7

23

40.4

33.3

17.6

46.7

34.6

15.4

33.3

31.4

36.4

P value

0.15

0.10

0.25

0.035

0.31

Knitted

39 (27.1)

29.9

24.7

21.1

21.2

20

36.2

33.3

27.9

21.3

33.3

23.5

46.7

25.6

42.3

13.9

40

36.4

P value

0.49

0.26

0.67

0.22

0.004

Braided

47 (32.6)

31.3

33.6

26.3

15.4

40

48.3

53.3

34.4

17

33.3

29.4

33.3

34.6

42.3

31.9

28.6

27.3

P value

0.76

0.003

0.01

0.83

0.68

Do you use impregnated retraction cord?

Yes

83 (57.6)

65.7

50.6

31.6

42.3

66.7

77.6

76.7

60.7

44.7

33.3

41.2

66.7

66.7

73.1

50

65.7

45.5

P value

0.16

0.001

 < 0.001

0.042

0.34

Do you soak the retraction cord in a hemostatic medicament before you pack it?

Yes

90 (62.5)

62.7

62.3

73.7

55.8

86.7

58.6

70

60.7

59.6

66.7

72.5

60

56.4

88.5

52.8

65.7

54.5

P value

0.97

0.11

0.80

0.18

0.013

What is/are the type/s of the hemostatic medicament that you use with the retraction cord?

Epinephrine

8 (5.6)

7.5

3.9

5.3

3.8

13.3

5.2

6.7

8.2

0

16.7

5.9

20

2.6

7.7

4.2

8.6

0

P value

0.35

0.56

0.17

0.07

0.63

Aluminum potassium sulfate

27 (18.8)

28.4

10.4

0

11.5

13.3

32.8

26.7

21.3

10.6

16.7

3.9

13.3

29.5

15.4

15.3

34.3

0

P value

0.006

0.001

0.32

 < 0.001

0.018

Aluminum chloride

36 (25)

31.3

19.5

26.3

21.2

26.7

27.6

26.7

26.2

19.1

50

19.6

40

25.6

30.8

15.3

34.3

45.5

P value

0.12

0.88

0.40

0.27

0.043

Aluminum Sulfate

43 (29.9)

28.4

31.2

26.3

25

20

37.9

50

24.6

23.4

33.3

25.5

46.7

29.5

30.8

27.8

31.4

36.4

P value

0.71

0.36

0.06

0.31

0.94

Ferric Sulfate

58 (40.3)

35.8

44.2

52.6

42.3

53.3

31

33.3

39.3

44.7

50

54.9

33.3

32.1

34.6

34.7

48.6

63.6

P value

0.31

0.22

0.74

0.011

0.19

Local anesthesia

15 (10.4)

6

14.3

10.5

11.5

6.7

10.3

10

8.2

14.9

0

11.8

6.7

10.3

15.4

11.1

8.6

0

P value

0.10

0.96

0.57

0.85

0.55

Have you experienced any adverse systemic problems using epinephrine as a hemostatic agent?

Yes

12 (8.3)

11.9

5.2

5.3

11.5

6.7

6.9

10

9.8

6.4

0

5.9

20

7.7

11.5

4.2

17.1

0

P value

0.32

0.13

0.59

0.26

0.01

Have you experienced any adverse local tissue problems when using a hemostatic medicament?

Yes

44 (30.6)

41.8

20.8

26.3

25

33.3

36.2

43.3

23

29.8

50

21.6

60

30.8

38.5

26.4

37.1

18.2

P value

0.24

0.34

0.48

0.06

0.24

Did the hemostatic medicament cause any problem or affect the impression material?

Yes

23 (16)

22.4

10.4

5.3

9.6

26.7

22.4

26.7

16.4

8.5

16.7

11.8

33.3

15.4

19.2

9.7

28.6

9.1

P value

0.11

0.20

0.28

0.36

0.15

Do you use electrosurgery in your clinic to obtain GD and hemostasis?

Yes

38 (26.4)

35.8

18.2

5.3

21.2

20

39.7

20

31.1

21.3

50

11.8

46.7

32.1

15.4

27.8

34.3

18.2

P value

0.017

0.014

0.30

0.005

0.36

What is/are the type/s of retraction paste that you use?

Expasyl

24 (16.7)

17.9

15.6

10.5

11.5

13.3

24.1

36.7

13.1

8.5

16.7

9.8

33.3

17.9

23.1

15.3

20

0

P value

0.71

0.27

0.017

0.28

0.34

Racegel

9 (6.2

9

3.9

5.3

7.7

13.3

3.4

3.3

8.2

4.3

16.7

3.9

13.3

6.4

7.7

4.2

11.4

0

P value

0.30

0.52

0.52

0.42

0.40

Traxodent

7 (4.9)

9

1.3

0

3.8

13.3

5.2

6.7

4.9

2.1

16.7

2

13.3

5.1

0

2.8

14.3

0

P value

0.05

0.33

0.43

0.20

0.029

GingiTrac

4 (2.8)

4.5

1.3

0

1.9

13.3

1.7

3.3

3.3

0

16.7

2

13.3

1.3

3.8

0

8.6

0

P value

0.34

0.19

0.19

0.68

0.08

Access Edge

4 (2.8)

4.5

1.3

0

1.9

13.3

1.7

3.3

3.3

0

16.7

2

13.3

1.3

3.8

0

8.6

0

P value

0.34

0.19

0.19

0.68

0.08

Astringent Retraction Paste

30 (20.8)

25.4

16.9

5.3

19.2

20

27.6

23.3

21.3

19.1

16.7

5.9

33.3

28.2

11.5

19.4

37.1

0

P value

0.31

0.45

0.27

0.17

0.58

Which technique yields more accurate impression and less incidence of repeating the impression?

Retraction cords with hemostatic agent

93 (64.6)

70.1

59.7

73.7

53.8

80

67.2

66.7

62.3

63.8

83.3

62.7

60

66.7

80.8

54.2

68.6

81.8

Retraction cords without hemostatic agent

17 (11.8)

10.4

13

5.3

15.4

6.7

12.1

16.7

9.8

12.8

0

11.8

20

10.3

3.8

16.7

8.6

9.1

Retraction paste

14 (9.7)

9

10.4

0

9.6

6.7

13.8

10

13.1

6.4

0

3.9

20

11.5

7.7

11.1

8.6

9.1

No difference

20 (13.9)

10.4

16.9

21.4

21.2

6.7

6.9

6.7

14.8

17

16.7

21.6

0

11.5

7.7

18.1

14.3

0

P value

0.59

0.23

0.81

0.15

0.39

When you do GD with non-vital tooth, do you use local anesthesia with:

Retraction cord

96 (66.7)

65.7

67.5

78.9

71.2

40

65.5

56.7

68.9

70.2

66.7

70.6

80

61.5

61.5

69.4

60

81.8

Retraction paste

3 (2.1)

3

1.3

0

0

0

5.2

3.3

3.3

0

0

0

0

3.8

3.8

1.4

0

9.1

Both

15 (10.4)

11.9

9.1

5.3

7.7

20

12.1

13.3

8.2

10.6

16.7

7.8

6.7

12.8

7.7

9.7

17.1

0

Neither

30 (20.8)

19.4

22.1

15.8

21.2

40

17.2

26.7

19.7

19.1

16.7

21.6

13.3

21.8

26.9

19.4

22.9

9.1

P value

0.82

0.20

0.93

0.57

0.45

Retraction paste is easier to use than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

12 (8.3)

6

10.4

10.5

7.7

6.7

8.6

10

4.9

12.8

0

7.8

6.7

9

7.7

9.7

5.7

9.1

Agree

63 (43.8)

46.3

41.6

42.1

44.2

46.7

43.1

43.3

50.8

36.2

33.3

45.1

46.7

42.3

57.7

33.3

54.3

45.5

Neither agree nor disagree

58 (40.3)

37.3

42.9

42.1

40.4

40

39.7

36.7

41

40.4

50

39.2

40

41

34.6

51.4

25.7

27.3

Disagree

9 (6.2)

9

3.9

5.3

5.8

6.7

6.9

3.3

3.3

10.6

16.7

7.8

6.7

5.1

0

4.2

11.4

18.2

Strongly disagree

2 (1.4)

1.5

1.3

0

1.9

0

1.7

6.7

0

0

0

0

0

2.6

0

1.4

2.9

0

P value

0.60

0.81

0.21

0.97

0.18

Retraction paste is less time consuming than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

13 (9)

10.4

7.8

15.8

5.8

6.7

10.3

10

6.6

12.8

0

9.8

0

10.3

7.7

9.7

8.6

9.1

Agree

79 (54.9)

52.2

57.1

57.9

48.1

66.7

56.9

50

65.6

46.8

33.3

56.9

73.3

50

69.2

50

57.1

45.5

Neither agree nor disagree

43 (29.9)

32.8

27.3

21.1

38.5

26.7

25.9

30

24.6

34

50

27.5

26.7

32.1

19.2

36.1

25.7

27.3

Disagree

7 (4.9)

3

6.5

5.3

5.8

0

5.2

3.3

3.3

6.4

16.7

5.9

0

5.1

3.8

2.8

5.7

18.2

Strongly disagree

2 (1.4)

1.5

1.3

0

1.9

0

1.7

6.7

0

0

0

0

0

2.6

0

1.4

2.9

0

P value

0.79

0.90

0.20

0.69

0.65

Retraction paste is more comfortable to the patient than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

13 (9)

10.4

7.8

10.5

5.8

13.3

10.3

10

8.2

8.5

16.7

5.9

26.7

7.7

7.7

6.9

11.4

18.2

Agree

74 (51.4)

49.3

53.2

57.9

40.4

60

56.9

60

62.3

36.2

16.7

51

46.7

52.6

73.1

41.7

54.3

54.5

Neither agree nor disagree

49 (34)

35.8

32.5

31.6

42.3

26.7

29.3

23.3

27.9

44.7

66.7

37.3

20

34.6

19.2

44.4

25.7

27.3

Disagree

7 (4.9)

4.5

5.2

0

9.6

0

3.4

3.3

1.6

10.6

0

5.9

6.7

3.8

0

5.6

8.6

0

Strongly disagree

1 (0.7)

0

1.3

0

1.9

0

0

3.3

0

0

0

0

0

1.3

0

1.4

0

0

P value

0.84

0.55

0.084

0.41

0.29

Retraction paste is more effective to control bleeding than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

2 (1.4)

1.5

1.3

0

0

0

3.4

3.3

1.6

0

0

0

0

2.6

0

0

2.9

9.1

Agree

42 (29.2)

26.9

31.2

36.8

26.9

26.7

29.3

23.3

39.3

21.3

16.7

29.4

26.7

29.5

38.5

25

37.1

9.1

Neither agree nor disagree

70 (48.6)

47.8

49.4

63.2

51.9

46.7

41.4

50

42.6

51.1

83.3

54.9

46.7

44.9

42.3

51.4

42.9

63.6

Disagree

29 (20.1)

23.9

16.9

0

19.2

26.7

25.9

20

16.4

27.7

0

15.7

26.7

21.8

19.2

22.2

17.1

18.2

Strongly disagree

1 (0.7)

0

1.3

0

1.9

0

0

3.3

0

0

0

0

0

1.3

0

1.4

0

0

P value

0.74

0.45

0.29

0.84

0.41

Retraction paste is less traumatic to the gingival tissue and cause less recession than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

16 (11.1)

11.9

10.4

5.3

13.5

6.7

12.1

10

9.8

14.9

0

11.8

20

9

7.7

12.5

5.7

27.3

Agree

81 (56.2)

55.2

57.1

84.2

46.2

60

55.2

56.7

62.3

44.7

83.3

62.7

46.7

53.8

65.4

51.4

54.3

72.7

Neither agree nor disagree

36 (25)

23.9

26

10.5

34.6

20

22.4

26.7

18

34

16.7

21.6

20

28.2

19.2

33.3

20

0

Disagree

9 (6.2)

7.5

5.2

0

5.8

13.3

6.9

6.7

6.6

6.4

0

3.9

13.3

6.4

3.8

2.8

17.1

0

Strongly disagree

2 (1.4)

1.5

1.3

0

0

0

3.4

0

3.3

0

0

0

0

2.6

3.8

0

2.9

0

P value

0.98

0.30

0.64

0.63

0.033

Retraction paste is more cost efficient than retraction cord:

Strongly agree

5 (3.5)

4.5

2.6

0

3.8

0

5.2

6.7

1.6

4.3

0

0

0

6.4

7.7

2.8

2.9

0

Agree

25 (17.4)

14.9

19.5

0

21.2

33.3

15.5

6.7

19.7

19.1

33.3

9.8

20

21.8

11.5

18.1

25.7

0

Neither agree nor disagree

67 (46.5)

40.3

51.9

73.7

42.3

53.3

39.7

43.3

42.6

55.3

33.3

60.8

26.7

41

50

43.1

40

81.8

Disagree

41 (28.5)

37.3

20.8

26.3

28.8

13.3

32.8

33.3

34.4

17

33.3

27.5

46.7

25.6

26.9

29.2

31.4

18.2

Strongly disagree

6 (4.2)

3

5.2

0

3.8

0

6.9

10

1.6

4.3

0

2

6.7

5.1

3.8

6.9

0

0

P value

0.23

0.20

0.37

0.17

0.37

Retraction paste causes gingival discoloration:

Strongly agree

3 (2.1)

3

1.3

0

0

6.7

3.4

3.3

1.6

2.1

0

2

0

2.6

3.8

1.4

2.9

0

Agree

31 (21.5)

20.9

22.1

21.1

19.2

13.3

25.9

33.3

19.7

17

16.7

25.5

13.3

20.5

26.9

12.5

28.6

45.5

Neither agree nor disagree

74 (51.4)

49.3

53.2

68.4

53.8

53.3

43.1

43.3

49.2

57.4

66.7

58.8

46.7

47.4

57.7

54.2

42.9

45.5

Disagree

32 (22.2)

22.4

22.1

10.5

23.1

26.7

24.1

20

24.6

21.3

16.7

11.8

40

25.6

11.5

29.2

22.9

0

Strongly disagree

4 (2.8)

4.5

1.3

0

3.8

0

3.4

0

4.9

2.1

0

2

0

3.8

0

2.8

2.9

9.1

P value

0.75

0.69

0.89

0.43

0.18