Nationwide Trends of Modern Endodontic Practices Related to Working Length, Instrumentation, Magnification, and Obturation: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey Comparing Endodontic and Non-Endodontic Specialties Practicing Root Canal Treatment in India

Abstract

Ankita Mohanty,1 Swadheena Patro,1 Antarikshya Das,1 Sanjay Miglani,2 Alexander Maniangat Luke,3,4 Ajinkya M Pawar,5 Rodolfo Reda,6 Alessio Zanza,6 Luca Testarelli6 1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India; 2Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India; 3Department of Clinical Science, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, Ajman, 346, United Arab Emirates; 4Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, Ajman, 346, United Arab Emirates; 5Department of Conservative Dentistry and Enododntics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400008, India; 6Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, ItalyCorrespondence: Alexander Maniangat Luke, Department of Clinical Science, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, Ajman, 346, United Arab Emirates, Email [email protected] Ajinkya M Pawar, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Enododntics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400008, India, Email [email protected]: The present study was designed to assess trends in contemporary endodontic practice regarding the techniques and materials used in endodontic therapy among dental practitioners from various regions of India.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted amongst dentists who were pursuing postgraduates in endodontics (PG Endo) and other branches (PG-OB), specialists from other branches (MDS-OB) and specialists in endodontics (MDS-Endo) in various dental colleges representing East, West, North, South, and Central zones through an e-survey using Google forms. State-wise postgraduate dental college lists were obtained from the Dental Council of India (DCI) website. Using a multistage cluster random sampling method and considering the unanticipated response rate, emails were sent to 2100. A 29-item close-ended questionnaire, framed according to different aspects of endodontic treatment, was used to record the responses.Results: When the distribution of the groups of dentists was compared, the central zone had the highest number of PG-OB (44.2%) and the lowest number of MDS-Endo (8.4%). The electronic apex locator (EAL) method of working length determination has been reported less among MDS-Endo than MDS-OB. The difference between the usage of various methods for working length determination was significant among the different groups in all the zones. (p < 0.0001) Most MDS-Endo preferred the rotary method of instrumentation over the combination method for different zones. The majority of dental practitioners preferred a combination method of instrumentation.Conclusion: Zone-wise comparisons among dentists showed the majority of general dental practitioners preferred the combination method (radiographs and electronic apex locator) for working length determination. Most MDS-Endo preferred the rotary method of instrumentation over the combination method for different zones. All dental practitioners did not so commonly use magnification in all the zones. The single cone technique was the most opted by dental practitioners of all the zones.Keywords: endodontic practices, endodontists, dental practitioners, survey

Keywords

• endodontic practices
• endodontists
• dental practitioners
• survey