Usage of Chelating Gels in Root Canal Preparation: A Survey of Australian Clinicians

Abstract

Chelating gels may initially assist in root canal preparations to help establish a glide path. While irrigation surveys have investigated liquid chelators and gels to a minor extent, no endodontic survey has focused on EDTA gels and why clinicians use them. All 395 members of the Australian Society of Endodontology (ASE) were emailed an 11-question survey concerning chelation gel usage via Qualtrics. Paper copies were also distributed at ASE events. Descriptive statistics were performed for practitioner and chelating gel data. Cross-tabulations of the practitioner type with the case percentage usage of gels were analyzed with the chi square test (adjusted p value p p < 0.0083), indicating a possible trend to diminished gel usage over time amongst ASE members. In conclusion, most ASE members find no need for a chelating gel, raising questions about their clinical effectiveness. Studies would therefore be warranted to investigate gel efficacy and improved clinical outcomes.

Keywords

• cohort effect
• EDTA
• endodontic chelating gels
• endodontic survey
• glide path
• practitioner usage