Attitude among dental practioners towards use of rotary instruments and hand instruments for root canal treatment: a comparative study

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of present study is to assess the attitude of general dental practioners towards use rotary instruments and hand instruments for root canal treatment.

Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in the private clinics in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 400 clinics were visited and face to face interview schedule was conducted. Questionnaire consists of demographic details of dental professionals. Information regarding the years of experience, OPD details and number of root canal treatment done per week by dental professionals was obtained. Use of rotary and hand instruments by dental professionals was inquired. Years of experience with Rotary instruments, procedural problems with rotary instruments faced by dental professionals and reasons for not using the rotary instruments if any was also recorded.

Results: 102 (33%) of the total study samples were using rotary instruments for root canal treatment and 100 (32%) using both rotary and hand instruments for root canal treatment. Dentists who are using rotary instruments are facing the procedural problem of file breakage {70 (36%)}. And those dental professionals using hand instruments are facing the problem of ledge formation {82(40%)}.

Conclusions: The main procedural failure of the rotary instruments in root canal treatment, faced by dental professionals was file breakage and with hand instrument is ledge formation. Lack of expertise is the main reason which restricts dental professionals from using rotary instruments.