Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Restoring Endodontically Treated Teeth by Dentists in North of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, current approaches, techniques and practices for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) among general dental practitioners and specialists in north of Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A standard questionnaire based survey containing 16 multiple choice questions about techniques and treatment methods, frequency of post, type of post, choice of luting cement, core material, reason of failure of endodontic treatment was distributed by hand and through email among 255 general dentists and specialists. The data were processed by using SPSS statistical software.
Results: The majority of clinicians (54%) believed that post reinforces the remaining tooth structure and reduces fracture probability. The ferrule effect was considered an important factor in increasing fracture resistance of the ETT (72%). The preferred technique for restoring ETT was core material along with 1-2 mm of ferule (41%) followed by prefabricated post and core build up (25%). On the basis of post material, the most common was metal (43%) followed by fiber post (41%). 2/3rd length of the root canal for the post length (67%) , 4-5mm apical seal of gutta percha after post placement (47%) and for the post diameter, 1/3rd of root diameter (51%)Â was agreed by most of the participants. Composite resin (61%) was the most popular material for core foundation followed by amalgam (23%).
Conclusion: The surveyed practitioners had a sound knowledge of the techniques and materials for restoring ETT with the exception that post reinforces the remaining tooth structure and reduces fracture probability.
Key Words: Dentists, Endodontically treated teeth, Knowledge, Restoration
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).