Abstract
Introductionthis study aimed at finding out current practice of endodontics amongst Nigerian dentists undergoing postgraduate training (also referred to as dental resident doctors) in different institutions across the nation.Methodsa questionnaire-based, cross sectional study was conducted amongst dentists undergoing postgraduate training. Questions were asked on demographics, protocol for root canal treatment (RCT), materials employed in different stages. Opinions were also sought on satisfaction with their practice and training needs in endodontics. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 and presented as tables and charts. Significance level was set at p≤0.05.Resultsninety dentists undergoing postgraduate training (57 males and 33 females) with mean age of 34.81 ± 5.9 years participated in the study. Root canal treatment was mostly done in multiple visits in both single and multi-rooted teeth (p=0.01), only about 15% performed the procedure on multi rooted teeth. Sixty-five (72.2%) never used Rubber dam, stainless steel files were being used by 69%, step down technique of preparation by 53.9% and Sodium hypochlorite was the major irrigant (80%) used. Obturation was majorly with Cold lateral compaction technique (94%), 57.2% delayed definitive restoration for maximum of 1 week and amalgam was still the major material used for posterior teeth as reported by 62.9% of the participants. The majority (55.6%) were not satisfied with their current knowledge and practice and most were those that did not have good undergraduate training (p = 0.05).Conclusionthe practice of endodontics needs standardization across the nation as it is being advocated in other countries. There is need for hands on-training on endodontics to encourage adoption of new advances in technology, as well as improve the training of postgraduate dentists in endodontics. Also, emphasis should be placed on use of rubber dam in order to minimize the spread of infection and protect the patients from aspiration of small instruments involved in endodontic procedure.
Highlights
Endodontics is widely practiced across the globe to alleviate pulpal pain and pathologies in order to maintain the affected tooth as a functional unit of the dental arch [1]
The viewpoints of academic teaching and endodontic societies are clear, little information is available regarding the attitude of dental practitioners towards these standards in Nigeria, and on how far the advances in endodontic technique have been incorporated into daily practice
This study showed that some practices are in line with the recommendations for endodontic practice
Summary
Endodontics is widely practiced across the globe to alleviate pulpal pain and pathologies in order to maintain the affected tooth as a functional unit of the dental arch [1]. With the development of new technologies which ranged from advances in imaging techniques for diagnosis and treatment, to instruments and materials for cleaning, shaping and obturation of root canals as well as regeneration of diseased pulpal tissue, many teeth with guarded prognosis that used to be extracted in the past can be salvaged by surgical or non-surgical endodontic treatment [4,5]. The viewpoints of academic teaching and endodontic societies are clear, little information is available regarding the attitude of dental practitioners towards these standards in Nigeria, and on how far the advances in endodontic technique have been incorporated into daily practice. With these guidelines, root canal treatment should be standardized across the world. This standard protocol practice is expected to be actualized in university study programs for both undergraduates and postgraduates and supervised by adequately trained specialists
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