Choice of matrix system for direct posterior composites by the dentists in Lahore

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the preferences of dentists in Lahore regarding the selection of matrix system for posterior composites. 100 questionnaires were randomly distributed to the dental surgeons working in hospitals and clinics in Lahore. The questionnaires were designed to find out the preferences of dentists for selection of matrix system for posterior proximal composite restorations. 92 completed questionnaires were returned. 58 general dental practitioners and 34 specialists responded to the questionnaire. 65.2% of the dentists preferred Tofflemire Matrix System, for 53.3% selection depended upon the final tooth preparation requirements, 41.3% marked sectional matrix system to be the best and 24% of the dentists had a preference of using separation ring with sectional bands. Experience of the dentists had no remarkable effect on the preference. Universal Matrix System [Tofflemire] was the preference of the majority of the dentists for direct class II composite restorations. Sectional Matrix System with separation ring was mostly preferred by the specialists but the selection depended upon the restorative requirements

Trends for choosing composites for posterior restorations by the dentists in Lahore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of dental surgeons towards posterior composite restorations in terms of case selection and concerns. 100 questionnaires were randomly distributed to the dental surgeons working in hospitals and clinics in Lahore. The questionnaires were designed to elicit information regarding case selection criteria and main concerns while placing posterior composite restorations. 92 completed questionnaires were returned. 58 general dental practitioners and 34 specialists responded to the questionnaire. 81.5% of the dentists preferred composites for restoring only small defects. 46.5% selected composites for posterior restoration on patient demand. Conservation of tooth structure was the causq for placing 81.5%, esthetics for 67.4% and patient preference for placing 74% restoration by these dentists. 69.5% of the dentists reported to adopt methods to maintain isolation during composite placement, 60% showed concern about contact point generation and 32.6% adopted techniques to minimize polymerization shrinkage stresses. Differences in responses were not remarkable between general dentist group and specialist groups. Conservation of tooth structure and esthetics were the main reasons for selection of posterior composites. Posterior composite restorations were chosen mainly for small defects. Patient preference was given weightage for material selection

Selection of direct restorative materials in general dental practices in Lahore

The objective of the present study was to determine the choice of direct restorative material for restorations of teeth among dentists in the city of Lahore. It was a descriptive case series study. It was non-probability convenience sampling. Thirty registered dental surgeons with more than three years of clinical experience were selected randomly. The selection was carried out from a list of dentists in Lahore who were interested to participate in the survey. They were asked to take the informed consent from the patients to register 100 consecutive direct restorations on a Pro forma. The results of the present study revealed that the sample group comprised of 1313 males and 1687 females, and male to female ratio was 0.8:1. Percentage of new restorations was 90.1% while replacement restorations were 9.9%. It was concluded that the Amalgam [58.9%] was the most frequently used restorative material. This was followed by resin composite [25.6%], Glassionomers I cermet [13.4%] andcompomer[2.1%]in the city of Lahore. Therefore it is recommended to develop rules to prevent mercury contamination in environment by good waste management practices