A study to evaluate the preferences of dentists for the materials chosen to restore endodontically treated teeth and the influence of both clinical experience and level of specialization on the dentist's choice of posts

Abstract

Background: In endodontics, dentist's choice for using posts/materials relevant to posts used to restore endodontic-treated teeth is influenced by clinical experience, whether concerning the length of practice time and level of specialization. Objective: Traditional restorative approaches are being modified as newer materials become available and patient preferences shift. The purpose of the study was to see if dentists' preferences for using posts and other materials associated to post used to restore endodontically treated teeth are influenced by practical experience, whether measured by the length of clinical practice time or level of specialty. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with dentists (n = 100) working in Karnataka utilizing a questionnaire. Data on sociodemographics, clinical experience, postgraduate training, and postendodontic restoration characteristics (posts/types of cement and rubber dam application) were obtained. The samples only included general and specialist dentists. A descriptive analysis was performed on the data. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test investigated the relationships. Results: The most chosen materials were metal posts (60%) and resin cement (70%). There was a statistically significant association between clinical practice duration and postuse type (P = 0.017). In addition, there was a highly significant relationship (P = 0.001) between clinical practice time, level of specialty, and the use of rubber dams. Conclusions: Dentists favored metal posts for post endodontic restorations, while resin-based cement was the preferred luting cement for the posts' cementation. Additional training and more clinical practice time were factors in several dental postselection decisions.