Survey of Materials, Methods Employed, and Attitudes Towards International Endodontic Treatment Protocol Standards by General Dental Practitioners in Lithuania. Does Age Matter?

Abstract

SummaryAim.To acquire statistical data concerning the materials, methods, and approaches used by general dentists in Lithuania, when treating teeth endodontically, while comparing said data with set treatment standards of undergraduate education to determine if practitioners' years of experience had influence on aforementioned factors. Materials and Methods. In total, 350 surveys were dispersed among four major Lithuanian cities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Utena) to bring forth data. These questionnaires included questions concerning the participant's gender, experience in dentistry in years, materials and methods used, etc. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 22.0 (Statistical Package for Social Science 22 for Windows) Results. From the total, 134 (38.3%) surveys were returned for analysis. Only those surveys were analyzed which were fully filled and were from general dentists, who were performing endodontic treatment to their patients (109 or 31.1%). Respondents who did not qualify to the set forth criteria were automatically removed from further analysis. 77.6% of younger dentists (10 years or less in the field) preferred to use a rubber dam as an isolation material while only 30.6% of older generation specialists (more than 10 years in the field) performed endodontic treatment with it.Step back technique was more popular to

Survey of Standard Protocols for Endodontic Treatment in Chitwan, Nepal

“…16 Most of the respondents (91.3%) in this study perform preoperative radiograph similar to other studies which support the importance of pre-operative radiograph during endodontic treatment. 6,7,[11][12][13] Verification of root canal preparation before obturation and after filling of the root canal is as important to assess and confirm the position of root canal filling material before cementation. This prevents overfilling reducing post-operative pain/ flare-ups.…”

“…12,13 Most (81.7%) of the respondents use K-file for instrumentation similar to other studies. 6,11,13 7,11,12 During instrumentation of root canal, irrigation plays a very important role in cleaning and disinfection of root canal system and also provides lubrication for the instruments that reduce the strain over the instrument and prevent instrument separation in the canal. Sodium hypochlorite, the most widely used endodontic irrigants, dissolves the organic material and possesses a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against endodontic microorganisms and biofilm, including microbiota difficult to eradicate from root canals.…”

“…25 In the study CH is most (89.4%) commonly used intracanal medicaments similar to other studies. 7,[9][10][11]14 Provisional restorative material plays a pivotal role in sealing a root canal that prevents contamination of root canals from food debris, oral fluids, and microbes as well as prevents the escape of medicaments that were placed in the root canal system. Degradation of temporary filling material due to absorption of water or saliva cause dimensional changes, microleakage, loss of retention resulting in a poor prognosis of endodontic treatment.…”

“…For this cross-sectional study, the questionnaire used by Vaitkus et al was taken. 7 A pilot study was carried out for reliability, validity and refinement by sending the questionnaire among 10 dentist who were not working in Chitwan and Cronbach's alpha was tested which was found to be 0.821. The sample size was calculated using the formula: P= sample proportion= 50% E= margin of error=5%, the sample size will be 92.…”

“…5 Several studies performed in Asian countries revealed that the majority of dentists do not comply with the formulated guidelines on the quality of root canal treatment. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Due to lack of knowledge and practice of newer instruments, materials, and techniques or fear of practice beyond the knowledge that was gained during undergraduate may compromise the standard treatment procedure and eventually affect the prognosis of the treatment. 8 The majority of endodontic treatment in Chitwan.…”