Use Of Rubber Dam Research Articles

Effect of the Pandemic on the Frequency of Rubber-dam Use by Dentists: A Questionnaire Study

Aim: This study aimed to compare the frequency of rubber-dam usage by dentists in different specialties before and after the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Method: A questionnaire was delivered electronically to dentists in different specialties during May 2021. This questionnaire included questions about the demographics and professional backgrounds of the dentists and their opinions about and the frequencies of use of the rubber-dam. Additionally, whether their rubber-dam usage approaches were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was also questioned. Results: Seven hundred and fifty people responded to the questionnaire. Among the participants, 36.4% said that the frequency of using rubber-dams increased after the pandemic. Regardless of the specialty, the frequency of using rubber-dams decreased as the years of professional experience increased (P < 0.05). When specialties were considered, endodontists used rubber-dams during endodontic and restorative procedures significantly more often than the others (P < 0.05). When the workplaces were compared, it was seen that rubber-dams were used significantly more often in university clinics (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite the quality guideline recommendations, the use of rubber dams is still not at the desired level in Turkey; however, there has been an increase in the number of dentists using them since the pandemic.

The Impact of Rubber Dam Association With Physiological Stress Parameters on Children of 7-10 Years Undergoing Pit and Fissure Sealant Treatment: An In-Vivo Study.

Introduction Anxiety is an emotion representing apprehension towards an unknown stimulus or situation. Rubber dam application during dental procedures in children makes the treatment more comfortable and acceptable as it gives them a psychological feeling that treatment is being carried out outside the oral cavity.The prime objective of this study was to evaluate and compare physiological parameters, which include pulse rate, arterial oxygen saturation level, blood pressure, and respiratory rate before and after rubber dam isolation. Material and methods The study consisted of 30 children patients of 7-10 years, comprised of 14 females and 16 males with a mean age of 8.15 ± 0.93 years. The study was a 'split mouth' clinical design study, where 60 sites in 30 patients (two sites in each patient) were used. The selected sites were divided into two groups by a convenience sampling method and were categorized as Group-I (control group - 30 sites were treated with pit and fissure sealants under cotton roll and saliva ejectors on mandibular right permanent first molar) and Group-II (study group - 30 sites were treated with pit and fissure sealants underrubber dam isolationon mandibular left permanent first molar). Results Rubber dam application reduced different physiological parameters of stress such as pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate at different intervals from the baseline values. Rubber dam and cotton roll applications have no significant effects on oxygen saturation levels at different intervals in healthy individuals. From statistical analysis, it was evident that a statistically significant difference was evident between the control and experimental groups (P value < 0.005). Conclusion It is confirmed in this study that rubber dam reduces different physiologic parameters of stress. After the application of the rubber dam, children's pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate were reduced. Clinical significance The study highlights the imperative role of rubber dam isolation in improving dental and medical effectiveness. In addendum to this, our research promotes the clinical use of rubber dams in pediatric dentistry.

Metal-Ceramic Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures After a Mean Observation Time of 7.5 Years.

To generate data on the long-term survival of metal-ceramic resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs). A total of 89 patients received 94 RBFPDs, 5 of whom (women n = 1; men n = 4) received 2 RBFPDs each. All RBFPDs were fabricated as two-retainer end-abutment metal-ceramic restorations. Clinical follow-ups were performed 6 months after cementation and then annually thereafter. The mean observation time was 7.5 years. Cox regression was performed to test the effects of the variables: gender, location, arch, design, use of rubber dam, and adhesive luting system. Survival and success were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. As a secondary objective, patient and dentist satisfaction with the esthetics and function of the RBFPDs was evaluated. The significance level was set at α = .05 for all calculations. Estimated Kaplan-Meier failure-free survival was 97.5% (standard error [SE] 1.7) after 5 years and 83.3% (SE 5.3) after 10 years. Calculated intervention-free survival (success) was 90.1% (SE 3.4) after 5 years and 65.5% (SE 6.7) after 10 years. Debonding-free survival was 92.6% (SE 2.9) after 5 years and 80.6% (SE 5.4) after 10 years. Cox regression revealed that none of the four tested variables had a significant effect on the incidence of complications in RBFPDs. Patient and dentist satisfaction with RBFPD esthetics and function was consistently high throughout the observation period. Within the limitations of an observational study, RBFPDs achieved clinically successful outcomes over a mean observational period of 7.5 years.

Retracted: Application of Quality Control Circle in Promoting the Use of Rubber Dams in the Root Canal Treatment of Primary Teeth.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/5397838.].

Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Two Different Rubber Dam Systems in Dental Practices

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; The rubber dam is the only method that can ensure complete isolation during dental procedures. During endodontic and restorative procedures, it improves patient protection, treatment efficacy, and infection control. A novel rubber dam system called Optradam has introduced a remarkably comfortable, user-friendly clamp-free technique. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare conventional rubber and OptraDam&amp;reg;Plus (Ivoclar Vivadent) based on patients&amp;rsquo; and dentist preferences.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;After receiving ethics board clearance, this trial was carried out at the Department of Operative Dentistry at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad from June to December 2022. A total of 30 participants were assigned to each group; conventional rubber dam (Group-1) and OptraDam&amp;reg;Plus (Group-2). Two questionnaires were designed and validated one to be completed by dental practitioners and the other by patients. The gathered information was analyzed using statistical tests of significance.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; A total of 60 patients were treated; 31 (52%) males and 29 (28%) females with a mean age of 32.35 years (SD = 4.59). Both the dentists (80% ) and the patients (73.3%) favored the conventional rubber dam system (Group-1). Concerning patient comfort, the conventional rubber dam (96.7%) was considered more comfortable than the OptraDam&amp;reg;Plus (Group-2) (86.7%). More effective moisture management was seen in Group-1 patients (90%). Other factors, such as time, convenience of application, and imaging radiography, had statistically insignificant results among both groups.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; The results indicate that both patients as well as operators, preferred the use of conventional rubber dams over OptraDam&amp;reg;Plus during an endodontic and restorative procedure.&lt;/p&gt;

Evaluation of Rubber Dam Use in Endodontic Treatments in Terms of Patients' Awareness Level, Acceptability, and Usage Experience

Objective: This study aimed to measure patients' awareness levels about rubber dam used in endodontic treatments and their opinions about the necessity of its use, to evaluate their endodontic treatment experiences with rubber dam, and to compare the relationship between these opinions and treatment experience. Methods: A survey including 16-questions was designed to access the participants' demographic information and previous rubber dam experiences, their current experience, and their preferences for the use of rubber dams in subsequent treatments. 9 questions aimed to measure the attitude via five-point Likert scale indicating measurements ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The survey was completed when the number of participants reached 150 patients. Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, Fisher's Exact test and Pearson Chi Square test were used to compare categorical data, and multiple comparisons were examined with the Bonferroni Corrected Z test. p&lt;0.05 was considered sufficient for statistical significance. Results: 27.3% of the participants had previously received dental treatment with rubber dam. It was determined that there were significantly more patients with primary education levels among those who did not know the benefits of rubber dam use before coming to treatment (p=0.013). There was a statistically significant connection between the question "I was informed by my dentist about the reasons for using rubber dam before the treatment" and the question "I think the use of rubber dam is necessary for the dentist/patient" (p&lt;0.001). In this study, only 4 people were observed who did not prefer rubber dam for the next treatment. Conclusion: Before endodontic procedures, the advantages and necessity of rubber dam use should be explained to patients in detail and the questions in the patients' minds should be eliminated. The clinician should improve himself in the use of rubber dam and provide the patient with a more comfortable treatment.

Isolation Systems and its Effectiveness in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The success of restoration processes depends on the efficient control of moisture and microorganisms. Dental restorative procedures frequently use rubber dams as an isolation technique. There is still room for evidence-based discussion over how rubber dam use affects the durability and caliber of dental restorations. In this review, the effects of rubber dam isolation vs alternative isolation techniques for dental restorative procedures are compared. An extensive online search in the various databanks of the EMBASE, Medline, Pubmed, and Scopus was conducted. The keywords searched were "isolation, oral surgery, dental surgery, retractors, rubber dam, and methods of isolation." The studies selected were longitudinal research design and randomized trials. To ascertain the risk of bias, meta-analysis was carried out. The outcome was measured as the successful restoration at the end of follow-up period representing the thorough isolation. A total of 1342 people were involved in six studies from across the world that were carried out between 2010 and 2015. High bias risk existed in all the studies. Five investigations compared the rubber dam vs cotton rolls. Due to discrepancies in the data supplied, one study was omitted from the analysis. Three of the four trials that were still running showed restored survival rates with all having a follow-up of at least six months. The survival of the restored composite teeth for six months in rubber dam isolation with odds ratio of 2.29, 1.38, and 1.00 at the end of six months, one year and one and half year respectively. However, the evidence was very low and speculative. The isolation was seen effective in the primary teeth specifically for the proximal lesions. None of the included studies discussed side effects or provided information on the treatment's upfront costs. The application of rubber dams in dental techniques may result in successful outcome compared to cotton rolls, according to some low-certainty evidence revealed in this research. Other times, the evidence is really ambiguous. It is necessary to conduct additional, high-quality studies investigating how rubber dam use affects various restorative procedures.

Evaluation of the Rubber Dam Use of Dentistry Students

Aim: The use of rubber dam is the gold standard among isolation methods in dentistry. The aim of this study is to evaluate the students' approach and knowledge level on the use of rubber dam in dentistry.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In this study, a questionnaire was created with the help of an online form builder on Google. In the survey, 18 different questions were asked in the form of multiple choice and checkboxes about the use of rubber dam. The questions used in the survey were prepared by compiling from the questions asked in the literature. Survey questions were sent to 286 people online. A total of 262 students participated in the survey.&#x0D; Results: Participants were %43 male and 57% female. The ages of the participants are between 20-44. Of the participants, 64% stated that they did not know how to use a rubber dam, and 97% reported that they did not use a rubber dam in clinical routine. While the rate of those who never used a rubber dam was 82% in adult patients, it was 85% in pediatric patients. Despite this, 84% of the participants think that the use of rubber dam should be mandatory in vital endodontic treatments and 71% in non-vital endodontic treatments. Most of the participants find the rubber dam useful in terms of isolation success and aspiration safety. In the answers given, the lack of knowledge and education was chosen as the most common reason for not using a rubber dam. For this reason, 96% of the participants do not consider themselves sufficient in the use of rubber dam.&#x0D; Conclusion: The use of rubber dam has numerous clinical benefits for the physician. For this reason, necessary theoretical and practical training should be supported for the widespread use of rubber dams.

A concise review of dental sealants in caries management.

This concise review provides an update of the use of dental sealants. Dental sealants protect a tooth from caries development by providing a physical barrier to microorganism colonisation and creating a favorable environment for patients to clean. Some sealants release fluoride ions to promote remineralization. Dental sealants can be applied on pits and fissures of primary and permanent teeth to prevent and arrest early enamel caries. They are effective in caries prevention. The preventive fraction of resin sealant is up to 61% after 5 years. Dental sealants can be classified as resin, glass ionomer and hybrid (compomer or giomer) according to the material. Recent studies from 2012 to 2022 showed resin sealant has a high retention rate of up to 80% after 2 years, whereas glass ionomer sealants is 44%. Chemical etching with 37% phosphoric acid is the standard of care, whereas laser or air-abrasion cannot does not increase the sealant retention rate. Moist control is critical and studies found the use of rubber dam and cotton rolls had similar success for sealant retention. The longevity of dental sealant is also associated with clinical operative factors, including approaches of moisture control, enamel pretreatment, selection of dental adhesive, and time of acid etching.

ASSESSMENT OF ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENT LATE RESULTS OF PATIENTS WITH FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES DUE TO THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF ABUTMENT TEETH

The scientific work highlights the results of an index assessment of the periodontal condition of patients abutment teeth with dentition defects which were replaced with metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures due to partial teeth loss. Since during the preparation of abutment teeth there is sometimes a need for endodontic treatment of them due to medical indications, we investigated the state of the periodontium before, during and after treatment and compared index indicators of pulpless teeth with teeth in which the vascular-nerve bundle was preserved. It was established that the periodontium of the vital tooth recovers and functions much better in comparison with the surrounding dental tissues of a nonvital tooth. Where there are inflammatory changes, which are objectively caused by pronounced swelling and bleeding of the gingival papilla. It is caused due to rubber dam pressure, which in turn is confirmed by reliable data of index indicators determined in various the terms of the treatment.&#x0D; After conducting a detailed examination of patients with vital abutment teeth with defects in the hard tissues of the teeth, we found that in the age group of 30-39 years, the most common defect in the hard tissues of the teeth was caries damage, which was observed in 8 patients (72.7%), damage due to injuries was found in 2 patients (18.2%), enamel hypoplasia was found in 2 patients (18.2%).&#x0D; Treatment of partial adentia involves the preparation of abutment teeth followed by the manufacture of fixed bridge prostheses. However, the vitality of the abutment tooth should be taken into account and the reserve forces of the periodontium should be taken into account in order to prevent functional overload. It is also necessary to monitor the hygienic condition of the oral cavity during the treatment and at various times after its completion.&#x0D; The peculiarity of the proposed method of preparation of vital upper and lower abutment teeth consists in the creation of a champfer on the vestibular surface with the transition to an imitation of a champfer on the oral surface, under constant control of the thickness of the peripulpal dentin using a dentometer with the use of full water cooling and subsequent fixation of provisional crowns. The use of a complex of diagnostic techniques for full control of the effectiveness of treatment during and after prosthetics at different times is substantiated and proposed.&#x0D; The gnathodynamometric study was carried out using an advanced device, the VIZIR E1000 gnathodynamometer: the plates placed between the opposing teeth were bitten, as a result of which the load was digitized using a flexible connection through an analog-digital converter and displayed on the display of a computer program, displayed graphically in newtons (N), the time of the masticatory load was also recorded in seconds.&#x0D; Using data from clinical indices, it was determined that the preservation of vital teeth is a reliable criterion of the effectiveness of the use of partial fixed prostheses than the use of pulpless teeth. The absence of periapical trauma in vital teeth, which occurs in pulpless teeth due to extirpation of the neurovascular bundle, is demonstrated by the Russel index, and other indices also demonstrate mucosal irritation caused by the use of rubber dams due to the need for quality endodontic treatment.

Attitude and practice of dental interns towards the use of rubber dam in different dental colleges of Kathmandu

Rubber dam application during routine clinical procedures enhance the dental treatment. Attitude and practice of rubber dam application among dental interns during clinical procedure plays an important role in providing quality treatment and avoiding medicolegal consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude and practice of dental interns towards rubber dam use. A questionnaire-based study was conducted using pre-structured questionnaire among 138 dental interns of three different colleges affiliated to Kathmandu University of Kathmandu District. The results showed that 97.1% study participants believe rubber dam gives good isolation, moisture control and safety. Positive attitude was shown by 55.1% of intern toward rubber dam use during all procedures and 64.5% during root canal treatment. Of the total, 73.2% believed they lacked training and 92.2% were willing to take more training. Most of the interns (85.5%) believe rubber dam as helpful tool. In conclusion, majority of the interns believe rubber dam gives good isolation, moisture control and safety but their lack of rubber dam use in clinical practice could be due to insufficient training, patients’ objection and extra time needed for placement. To overcome this, more trainings, preclinical and clinical demonstration and mandatory use during all clinical posting should be done in dental colleges.

Attitude of graduate dental students in The Netherlands towards rubber dam use

The use of rubber dam isolation during restorative procedures is often used. This survey study analyzed several aspects of the use of rubber dam isolation of fifth and sixth year's dental students at three Dutch universities using the COM-B model. This model explains behavior (B) from 3 factors: capacity (C), opportunity (O), and motivation (M). In the period of February-August 2022, a total of 81 students completed the survey (Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, ACTA, n = 25; Radboud University, RU, n=28; Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, CTM, n = 28). There were significant differences on all 3 factors between universities. RU students felt more confident than CTM students in applying the rubber dam in the anterior zone. At RU, teachers were significantly less likely to encourage the use of rubber dams. CTM students were more likely to assess the use of rubber dams as more important in the longevity of direct restorations (motivation). Students struggled the most with rubber dam use in subgingival cases and would like that their teachers were more adept in manipulation of soft tissues. Within the Netherlands, the education in rubber dam use should focus more on practical skills in these subgingival cases, including soft tissue handling.

Deep Margin Elevation for adhesive indirect restorations

Deep subgingival margin elevation is a much-debated topic in adhesive and restorative dentistry. The hydrophobic trait of adhesive materials challenges the restorative procedure of cavities with deep subgingival margins since bonding and isolation by means of rubber dam is complicated. By relocating the deep subgingival preparation outline to epigingival, or supragingival with a direct composite restoration, the impression procedure and the use of rubber dam is simplified and the bonding of an indirect adhesive restoration can be performed more reliably. In the English-language literature, the term 'Deep Margin Elevation' is reserved for this approach. This article discusses the rationale and clinical implementation of Deep Margin Elevation. The current knowledge about the coronal relocated preparation margin is growing and is tersely summarized in this article with special attention to adhesive bonding between dentine, composites, and ceramic.

Online Questionnaire-Based Study to Evaluate the Attitudes and Use of Rubber Dental Dams by Saudi Dental Practitioners.

BACKGROUND A dental dam is a protective sheet with an aperture and is used to prevent the spread of infection during dental procedures. This study aimed to use a 2-part online questionnaire to evaluate the attitudes and use of rubber dental dams by 300 Saudi dental interns, general dental practitioners, residents, specialists, and consultants in prosthodontics, endodontics, and restorative dentistry. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 17-item validated questionnaire consisted of 5 questions on demographics, 2 on knowledge, 6 on attitudes, and 4 on perceptions. It was distributed through Google Forms. The chi-square test was used to determine the associations between the study variables and perception questions. RESULTS A total of 41.67% participants were specialists/consultants, among which 59.2% were in the prosthodontics specialty, 12.8% in endodontics, and 28% in restorative dentistry. Most participants (84.67%) stated the necessity of using rubber dams during post and core procedures. A total of 53.67% had received enough training for using rubber dams during their undergraduate/residency education. The majority of participants (41%) also preferred using rubber dams during the prefabricated post and core procedures, and 28.33% stated that the remaining tooth structure was one of the major reasons for not using rubber dams during the post and core procedures. CONCLUSIONS Workshops and hands-on training should be conducted among dental graduates to instill a positive attitude regarding the use of rubber dams.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Students Regarding Use of Rubber Dam during Clinical Procedures

Objectives: Competency based clinical training in most of the dental schools in Saudi Arabia incorporates a clear rubrics for evaluation of clinical procedure where use of rubber dam is one of the criteria to be effectively fulfilled by the students. The present study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the use of rubber dam by dental students and interns of various dental schools in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the dental students of various Saudi university through google form during January 2022 to March 2022. A pretested questionnaire in a 5 point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree (score 5) to strongly disagree (score 1) containing three sections (each containing 10 questions) to measure knowledge, attitude and practice towards use of rubber dam was used. The questionnaire for barriers for rubber dam use included 5 items. The Chi-square test and One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc was used to compare the responses between the male and female students and dental students of difference academic levels. Results: Total of 273 valid responses were received (189 (69.23%) male and 84 (30.77%) female). The overall average Likert score for knowledge about rubber dam among dental students was 3.45 (± 1.2). The overall average Likert score for questionnaire items assessing attitude of dental students about rubber dam was 3.81 (± 0.9). The respective overall average score for male and female dental students for their attitude towards rubber dam was 3.32 (±0.8) and 4.30 (±0.11) with p = 0.04. The overall average Likert score for practice items was 3.73 (±0.8)(Table 4,Fig-2). The respective overall average score for male and female dental students for practice of rubber dam was 3.13 (±1.1) and 4.33 (±0.8) with p = 0.03. For the questionnaire items assessing the barriers for using rubber dam, the average score for unavailability of suitable rubber dam clamp and patient refuse both scored 4.3. Conclusion: The finding suggest that the dental students have adequate knowledge and training for rubber dam use. The attitude and practice towards consistent use of rubber dam should be reinforced through proper motivation. A future research with a larger sample size and patients feedback on rubber dam will be helpful.

Use of rubber dam versus cotton roll isolation on composite resin restorations’ survival in primary molars: 2-year results from a non-inferiority clinical trial

BackgroundThis non-inferiority randomised clinical trial aimed to evaluate the survival of direct bulk fill composite resin restorations in primary molars using different methods of moisture control: rubber dam isolation (RDI—local anaesthesia and rubber dam) and cotton roll isolation (CRI—cotton roll and saliva ejector). Secondary outcomes included baseline and 2-year incremental cost, self-reported child’s pain scores and patient behaviour during the restorative procedure.MethodsA total of 174 molars (93 children) with dentine caries lesions were randomly allocated to study groups (RDI or CRI) and restored with bulk fill composite resin by trained operators. Two blinded examiners assessed the restorations for up to 24 months. Wong-baker faces and Frankl's behaviour rating scales were used for accessing the child's pain and behaviour, respectively. The primary outcome (restoration survival) was analysed using the two-sample non-inferiority test for survival data using Cox Regression (non-inferiority/alternative hypothesis HR > 0.85; CI = 90%). Bootstrap Linear regression was used for cost analysis and logistic regression for pain and behaviour analysis (α = 5%).ResultsAfter 2-years, 157 restorations were evaluated (drop-out = 9.7%). The survival rate was RDI = 60.4% and CRI = 54.3%. The non-inferiority hypothesis was accepted by the Cox Regression analysis (HR = 1.33; 90% CI 0.88–1.99; p = 0.036). RDI was 53% more expensive when compared to the CRI group. No differences were found between the groups regarding pain (p = 0.073) and behaviour (p = 0.788).ConclusionCotton roll isolation proved to be non-inferior when compared to rubber dam for composite restorations longevity in primary molars. Furthermore, the latest presented the disadvantage of higher cost and longer procedure time.Clinical Significance The moisture control method does not influence the longevity of composite restorations in primary molars. Cotton roll isolation proved to be non-inferior to rubber dam isolation and is a viable option for restoring primary molars.Clinical trial registration registered NCT03733522 on 07/11/2018. The present trial was nested within another clinical trial, the CARies DEtection in Children (CARDEC-03-NCT03520309).

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

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.

Knowledge, materials, methods, and attitudes employed during endodontic treatment by dentists to evaluate and improve the quality of practice of endodontic treatment

Background: This procedure, known as root canal treatment, is widely used in modern dental care. Modern endodontics frequently includes the introduction of many modern devices, materials, and methods, and yet it is one of the fastest-expanding fields in everyday clinical practice. Root canal fillings, coronal restorations, and the dentist's own knowledge, attitude, and expertise all have a role in the success of endodontic therapy, which is why it is important to maintain these high standards. Aim and Objectives: This study's objectives were similar to those of the aforementioned audit to collect data on the various approaches, specific and regular strategies, materials, and attitudes utilized by both general dental specialists and endodontists during root trench treatment, to analyze these choices in depth, and to disseminate endodontic treatment standards to evaluate the state of current practice and make adjustments as necessary. Methodology: The materials and techniques used by general dentists during root canal treatment were the subjects of a survey. Before the research itself could begin, a questionnaire had to be created and tested in advance. Results: The current study's findings provide light on the mindsets, strategies, supplies, and procedures used by dentists during root canal treatment. In the field of health-care evaluation, the survey questionnaire is a frequent tool. In this investigation, data were acquired by interviewing dentists in person and writing down their responses, a method that ultimately helped eliminate bias. Conclusion: Using the tried-and-true method of positioning the apical stop 1 mm from the radiographic apex, most dentists today continue to do so. The trend toward doing root canal treatment in a single office visit applies to all patient types. As a remarkable characteristic, both types of responders made very little use of rubber dams for isolation purposes during endodontic treatment.

Preference for Using Posts to Restore Endodontically Treated Teeth among Dentists in College of Dentistry/ Hawler Medical University

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. &#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with dentists (n = 108) working at Hawler Medical University/College of Dentistry utilizing a questionnaire. Data on sociodemographics, clinical experience, postgraduate training, and post-endodontic restoration characteristics (posts/types of cement, 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. &#x0D; Results: The most chosen materials were metal posts (53.7 %) and resin cement (50 %). There was a statistically significant association between clinical practice duration and post-use 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. &#x0D; 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 post-selection decisions.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among dental teams in Germany.

ObjectivesDuring the corona pandemic, dental practices temporarily closed their doors to patients except for emergency treatments. Due to the daily occupational exposure, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among dentists and their team is presumed to be higher than that in the general population. This study examined this issue among dental teams across Germany.Materials and methodsIn total, 2784 participants provided usable questionnaires and dry blood samples. Dry blood samples were used to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The questionnaires were analyzed to investigate demographic data and working conditions during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic mixed-effects models were applied.ResultsWe observed 146 participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (5.2%) and 30 subjects with a borderline finding (1.1%). Seventy-four out of the 146 participants with SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies did not report a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test (50.7%), while 27 participants without SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test (1.1%). Combining the laboratory and self-reported information, the number of participants with a SARS-CoV-2 infection was 179 (6.5%). Though after adjustment for region, mixed-effects models indicated associations of use of rubber dams (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01–2.72) and the number of protective measures (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01–1.34) with increased risk for positive SARS-CoV-2 status, none of those variables was significantly associated with a SARS-CoV-2 status in fully adjusted models.ConclusionsThe risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was not higher among the dental team compared to the general population.Clinical relevance.Following hygienic regulations and infection control measures ensures the safety of the dental team and their patients.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-021-04363-z.