Abstract

A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON CURRENT ENDODONTIC PRACTICE OF DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN NORTHERN REGION OF INDIA

Anil Kumar Sharma*

ABSTRACT

Since past few years idea behind using the treatment protocols for endodontic practice has been seen revolutions in endodontic field. It has been observed that most dental clinicians do not act in accordance with the principles that are formulated for successful root canal treatment. The purpose of this study was to gather data on the prevalent endodontic practices by general dental practitioners in northern region of India. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 200 practitioners. This study was a questionnaire-based survey of samples of dentists in northern region of India. The self-administered questionnaire contained 15 close-ended questions with multiple-choice options. The data collected included demographic details of respondents, root canal preparation techniques, irrigants and intracanal medicaments used, the number of appointments, method of working length determination, root filling techniques, cements used, and the scope of treatment performed. Results: The usage of rubber dam is very low among general practitioners. Most of the dentists follow radiographs with instruments in the canal as the best option for working length determination. Out of three root canal instrumentation techniques such as crown down, push and pull, and step back, the third one (56%) is the most followed technique. Hero shaper (51%) is the choice of Ni-Ti rotary instrument used by the dentists of Northern region of India followed by Mtwo. Stainless steel hand files (69%) are mostly used to prepare canals followed by nickel–titanium hand files (21%) and rotary nickel–titanium files (10%). Lateral compaction (91%) is the commonly used obturation technique. Autoclave sterilization (20%) is mostly followed by the dentists followed by glass bead and chemical sterilization (12%). The most commonly used sealer is ZOE sealer (72%). Conclusion: During the past decade, many innovative concepts, techniques, and instruments have been introduced in practice, and standard of care for endodontics can be improved by increasing general dental practitioner interest. This study concludes that standard guidelines and new technologies are to be implemented by the practitioners in Northern region of India.

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