Current Trends and Controversies in Periodontal Dressing – A Narrative Review

Periodontal dressings have a history of nine decades and yet, the uses and benefits of periodontal dressings are questioned. There are different types of periodontal dressings based on the composition, setting, consistency, and solubility. Various authors have studied the properties of periodontal dressings. However, majority of them have emphasized only on their biocompatibility and therapeutic benefits. Eugenol-based periodontal dressings are no longer used due to their cytotoxic properties. Currently, popular ones are zinc oxide-based without eugenol in their composition. Although light-cured periodontal dressings fetched some attention due to its biocompatibility, aesthetics and comfort in application, its use is limited due to relatively higher cost. Mucoadhesive patches were introduced, however, due to their limited action time, it is not indicated universally. In recent times, there is growing interest in biological dressing materials which are found to be more tissue friendly and aid in better healing. Literature reveals mixed opinions on the use of periodontal dressings in different clinical scenarios. As there is no proper consensus on the use of periodontal dressings, it becomes the choice of a clinician to decide on the use of periodontal dressing based on the clinical condition.