Análise da prática endodôntica realizada em clínicas odontológicas em uma cidade do Sul do Brasil / Analysis of endodontic practices in dental clinics in a Southern Brazilian city

Introdução: O desenvolvimento de novas técnicas, tecnologias e materiais influenciam a prática clínica da endodontia e impactam consideravelmente a forma como o tratamento do canal radicular é realizado. Embora existam informações sobre as várias formas de tratamentos praticados por dentistas em outras cidades e/ou países, muito pouco se sabe sobre as endodontias realizadas em clínicas odontológicas na cidade de Porto Alegre/RS. Objetivo: Analisar a prática endodôntica realizada por dentistas nas clínicas odontológicas na cidade de Porto Alegre/RS, visando explorar as técnicas, materiais e equipamentos empregados durante o tratamento. Material e método: Foi aplicado um questionário online, por meio da Plataforma Google Forms, com vinte e seis questões abertas e fechadas aos dentistas que realizam tratamentos endodônticos em clínicas odontológicas. O questionário foi estruturado a fim de analisar os materiais, técnicas e equipamentos que estão presentes nos tratamentos endodônticos realizados pelos dentistas nas clínicas odontológicas aqui avaliadas. Os dados coletados nos questionários foram transferidos para uma planilha Excel®. A análise dos dados foi feita de duas formas: frequência absoluta e relativa para as questões fechadas, e descritiva para as questões abertas. Resultado: 15,57% das clínicas odontológicas registradas no CRO/RS participaram da presente pesquisa. Foi possível verificar que a maioria dos materiais e técnicas aplicadas no tratamento endodôntico são os mesmos recomendados pela literatura científica. Conclusão: Os protocolos clínicos em endodontia seguidos pelos participantes do presente estudo apresentam embasamento clínico e científico na literatura.

Introduction: The evolution of new techniques, technologies, and materials significantly influences the clinical practice of endodontics, thus profoundly impacting the approach to root canal treatments. While information about various treatment methods practiced by dentists in other cities or countries is available, there is a notable gap in our understanding of endodontic practices in the Porto Alegre city. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the endodontic practices employed by dentists in dental clinics located in Porto Alegre city. We aimed to explore the techniques, materials, and equipment routinely utilized during endodontic treatments. Material and method: An online questionnaire using the Google Forms platform was administered, consisting of twenty-six open and closed questions to dentists performing endodontic treatments in dental clinics. The questionnaire was structured to assess the materials, techniques, and equipment employed during endodontic procedures. Data collected from the questionnaires were recorded in an Excel® spreadsheet. Data analysis encompassed both absolute and relative frequency for closed questions and also a descriptive approach for open-ended questions. Results: Participation was obtained from 15.57% of dental clinics registered with CRO/RS. The findings indicated that the majority of materials and techniques applied in endodontic treatment could be aligned with recommendations found in the scientific literature. Conclusion: The clinical protocols observed by the participants in endodontic practice demonstrated a solid foundation in both clinical and scientific literature.

Endodontic file separation and its management among dentists in Punjab, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

The study aimed to find the incidence and awareness of endodontic instrument separation and its management among dental house officers, postgraduate trainees, demonstrators, consultants, and general dentists. Methods: This online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted with the approval of the IRB in private and public dental hospitals and dental clinics in Punjab. The authors developed the survey tool, which comprises 24 closed-ended items regarding demographics, the incidence of file separation, and awareness about its management. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24. The Chi-Square Test was used to compare percentages of categorical variables. Results: Postgraduate trainees experienced the most instrument separations (43.6%), made the most retrieval attempts (49.2%), and experienced the most secondary errors during retrieval (52.1%) (p<0.001). Around four out of ten respondents always informed the patients (39.6%) and department (41.6%) about errors. Manual files (69.8%), stainless steel files (75.8%), and short files (60.4%) were more frequently separated, and the most frequent cause was older fatigue files (57.7%). Manual files were more frequently broken in public dental institutes (p=0.003). Two-thirds of the file separations (72.5%) occurred during cleaning and shaping in the apical third of molars (65.1%), especially in mesiolingual canal (56.4%). Bypass attempt was the most common in symptomatic teeth (47.7%). Conclusions: Preventive approaches such as limiting file reuse and constructing a glide path can reduce the occurrence of file separation. Operators should be familiar with the number of uses of the instrument before fatigue and should be trained through workshops and refresher courses

Pain Perception Before Endodontic Treatment: from Primary Care to Specialized Care

Abstract Objective: To analyze patients' pain perception requiring endodontic treatment referred to a Dental Specialties Center. Material and Methods: Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire for patients about their experience of pain and another for endodontists about the treatment performed. The results were analyzed descriptively using Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test, with Bonferroni correction (p≤0.05). Results: The median age of the patients was 39 years, and 71.1% were female. The median waiting time for treatment was five months. Pain was reported by 75.2% of patients, occurred more than one month earlier (63.6%), with moderate/severe intensity (66.9%), and most patients sought emergency treatment more than once (79.1%). In addition, pain was associated with sex (female; p=0.008); moderate/severe intensity (p<0.001); the number of times that patient had to go to the dentist because of the tooth treatment (twice or more; p=0.002); and type of tooth treated (posterior tooth; p=0.002). Conclusion: Severe pain episodes resulted in a repeated search for emergency services, which may overload the primary care service, especially if the waiting time for endodontic treatment is long.

Nível de conhecimento dos odontopediatras e endodontistas de Ilhéus-BA quanto ao procedimento de revascularização pulpar / Level of knowledge of pediatric dentists and endodontists of Ilheus-BA regarding the pulp revascularization procedure

Dentes necrosados com rizogêneze incompleta representam um desafio para os endodontistas e odontopediatras, visto que as paredes radiculares desses dentes são mais finas, o que as tornam mais susceptíveis a fraturas. Durante muitos anos a técnica preconizada foi a apicificação que ainda é bastante utilizada. Nesta técnica são realizadas trocas constantes de medicação intracanal. O dente continua fragilizado e existe o risco do paciente não concluir o tratamento já que tal técnica demanda várias sessões clínicas. Com os avanços da ciência, surge a revascularização pulpar, trazendo vários beneficíos, entre os quais estão a continuidade apical e o ganho de espessura das paredes, além do benefício de conclusão do tratamento em uma ou duas sessões. Entretanto é necessária sua proservação que leva em média dois anos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos odontopediatras e endodontistas do município de Ilhéus-Bahia, frente a casos de necrose pulpar de dentes com formação radicular incompleta. O método e forma de análise de dados foram de um estudo observacional, transversal, realizado em consultórios do município de Ilhéus-BA que foram selecionados por amostragem aleatória. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário contendo 10 questões de múltipla escolha sobre revascularização pulpar, especialização do profissional e tempo de formação. 20 profissionais aceitaram participar da pesquisa. Desses, 10% não sabiam ou nunca tinham ouvido falar sobre a revascularização pulpar. Conclui-se que ainda existem especialistas no Município de Ilhéus-BA que apresentam conhecimento insuficiente sobre a terapia endodôntica regenerativa, sendo que os mesmos deveriam ter conhecimento desta técnica já que são os profissionais que prestam o atendimento ao paciente jovem com dentes necrosados, reforçando a necessidade de elaboração de estratégia de conscientização e educação de saúde para habilitação e atualização dos mesmos(AU)

Necrotic teeth with incomplete rizogenesis representa challenge for endodontists and pediatric dentists, since the root walls of these teeth are thinner, which makes them more susceptible to fractures. For many years the recommended technique was apexification, which is still widely used. In this technique, constant changes of intracanal medication are performed. The tooth remains fragile and there is a risk that the patient will not complete the treatment as this technique requires several clinical sessions. With advances in science, pulp revascularization appears, bringing several benefits, among which are the apical continuity and the gain in thickness of the walls, in addition to the benefit of completing the treatment in one or two sessions. However, its preservation is necessary, which takes on average two years. The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of knowledge of pediatric dentists and endodontists in the municipality of Ilhéus-Bahia, in the face of cases of pulp necrosis of teeth with incomplete root formation. The method and form of data analysis were from an observational, cross-sectional study, carried out in offices in the municipality of Ilheus-BA that were selected by random sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing 10 multiple-choice questions about pulp revascularization, professional specialization and training time. 20 professionals agreed to participate in the research. Of these, 10% did not know or had never heard of pulp revascularization. It is concluded that there are still specialists in the municipality of Ilhéus-BA who have insufficient knowledge about regenerative endodontic therapy, and they should have knowledge of this technique since they are the professionals who provide care to young patients with necrotic teeth, reinforcing the need to develop a health awareness and education strategy to enable and update them(AU)

Acessos endodônticos: o que todo endodontista deve saber / Endodontic accesses: what every endodontist should know

Introdução: Os acessos endodônticos minimamente invasivos (AEMI) surgiram com o intuito de, por meio da preservação de estrutura dentária, manter a resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente. A partir do primeiro estudo, em 2010, vários trabalhos foram desenvolvidos buscando entender qual a influência dos AEMI na resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente. No entanto, interferências coronárias causadas pelos AEMI poderiam prejudicar a realização dos procedimentos subsequentes à cavidade de acesso, como a localização, instrumentação, limpeza, descontaminação e obturação dos canais radiculares. Objetivo: Com base nessa premissa, a presente revisão teve como objetivo responder algumas perguntas para que o clínico entenda quais são as principais modalidades de AEMI, os impactos da sua abordagem no tratamento endodôntico e o verdadeiro papel do tratamento endodôntico na perda dos elementos dentários. Resultados: Considerando os dados disponíveis até o presente momento, faltam evidências robustas para apoiar a alegação de que os AEMIs preservem a resistência à fratura dos elementos tratados endodonticamente melhor do que nos dentes acessados de maneira tradicional. Além disso, cavidades de acesso minimamente invasivas podem interferir em outras etapas do tratamento endodôntico, podendo torná-lo imprevisível. Conclusão: Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que há uma falta de evidências que apoiem a utilização de cavidades de acesso minimamente invasivas na prática clínica de rotina e/ou no processo de formação de alunos de graduação e pós-graduação (AU).

Introduction: Minimally invasive access cavities emerged aiming to maintain the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth through the preservation of dental structure. Starting with the first study in 2010, several others were developed to evaluate the influence of minimally invasive access cavities in the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. However, the coronal interference caused by those access cavities could impair the subsequent procedures of root canal treatment, such as the location, instrumentation, cleaning, disinfection and filling of the root canals. Objective: Based on this premise, the aim of the present review was to answer some questions so that the clinician knows the main modalities of minimally invasive access cavities, the impacts of this approach and the real role of endodontic treatment in the tooth loss. Results: Considering the available data, there is a lack of robust evidence in literature to support the claim that the minimally invasive access cavities preserve the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth better than the traditional one. In addition, these access cavities can interfere in other stages of endodontic treatment, making it unpredictable. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that there is a lack of evidence to support the use of minimally invasive access cavities in routine clinical practice and/or in the process of training undergraduate and graduate students (AU).

Comparison of Detection Rate of Root Canal Orifices of Maxillary First Molar Using Various Techniques: An in-vivo Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the detection rate of root canal orifices of maxillary first molar by various techniques in the Indian population. Material and Methods: A total of 50 maxillary 1st molar cases were selected and sequentially divided into four groups: Group I: Naked eye; Group II: Surgical loupe; Group III: Surgical operating microscope; and Group IV: Fluorescein sodium dye. After access opening, the number of root canal orifices was detected in all cases with these methods. Results: By naked eye and surgical loupe, a total of 171 root canal orifices were detected, by a surgical operating microscope, 176, and by fluorescein sodium dye, 177 root canal orifices were detected. The detection rate of root canal orifices is as follows: Group I (96.61%) = Group II (96.61%) < Group III (99.44%) < Group IV (100%) and detection rate of MB-2 canal orifices Group I (40%) = Group II (40%) < Group III (50%) < Group IV (52%). No significant difference in the number of canal orifices detected could be seen for any of the comparisons. No significant difference was observed between the naked eye and surgical loupe techniques. Although the surgical operating microscope detected more root canal orifices, it did not have a significantly higher detection than the other two techniques. Conclusion: No significant difference was seen among various methods. However, the use of a surgical operating microscope and fluorescein sodium dye increased the detection rate of root canal orifices.

Knowledge about Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its professional repercussions among Brazilian endodontists

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess Brazilian endodontists' level of knowledge about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and examine its professional repercussions. The link to the online survey that was created for this study was shared with Brazilian endodontists through social networking applications. The questionnaire contained questions that pertained to COVID-19 and its impact on dental practice. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square analysis, and analysis of variance, and the level of significance was set at 0.05. A total of 2,135 participants responded to the questionnaire, and all five Brazilian regions were represented in the sample. A total of 98.50% of endodontists reported that dental procedures can transmit COVID-19. Complete social distancing was practiced by 96.68% of the participants, and approximately 25% knew someone who had COVID-19. Moreover, in their daily practice, 72.13% of them implemented biosecurity measures that are ineffective in preventing COVID-19. Furthermore, 91.7% of them reportedly suspended elective dental procedures. Only 55.69% of them reported that they performed only emergency procedures in their workplaces. Those who believed that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted during dental procedures were less knowledgeable about the symptoms of COVID-19 (p = 0.0095). Endodontists who believed that personal protective equipment cannot prevent contamination were more knowledgeable about the symptoms of COVID-19 than their counterparts (p = 0.0003). The participating Brazilian endodontists demonstrated adequate knowledge about the risk of contamination during dental procedures and the main symptoms of COVID-19. Only some professionals reported providing emergency dental care during the pandemic.

Differences in endodontic emergency management by endodontists and general dental practitioners in COVID-19 times

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the differences, if any, between general dental practitioners (GDPs) and endodontists, in the diagnosis and treatment of endodontic emergencies during the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was randomly sent by social media to clinicians in different countries from 24 April, 2020 to May 4, 2020. The survey consisted of a series of questions about demographic characteristics, endodontic emergency diagnoses, approaches to prevent aerosol formation, drug prescriptions in case of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, and the ways in which dentists managed endodontic emergencies during the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1,058 dentists responded to the questionnaire; 344 (32.6%) of the participants were endodontists. Slightly less than half of the participants (n = 485, 45.8%) worked during the lockdown, but only 303 participants (28.6%) treated endodontic cases/emergencies. The responses showed agreement between endodontists and GDPs regarding the diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP), symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP), reversible pulpitis, and asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis (AIP). SIP and SAP were considered an emergency, whereas reversible pulpitis and AIP were not considered an emergency (p > 0.05). Non-aerosol-generating procedures and treatment approaches differed between the groups (p < 0.05). One-third of the participants did not use rubber dam (p > 0.05). Ibuprofen and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid were the most frequently prescribed drugs for pain associated with SIP. In conclusion, the most relevant findings in our survey were the differences between endodontists and GDPs in diagnosis, precheck triage, deep caries excavation procedures, and endodontic emergency pain relief strategies.

Knowledge of general dentists, endodontists and pediatric dentists about the management on dental traumas: a survey in turkey / Conhecimento de dentistas clínicos-gerais, endodontistas e pediatras sobre o manejo de traumas dentários: uma pesquisa na Turquia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine endodontists, pedodontists and general dentists' knowledge of management of dental trauma. Material and methods: A web-based survey including 13 questions was prepared using Google forms, and a link to the survey was sent to the general dentists, endodontists and paediatric dentists via social media. The questionnaire asked for information regarding the age, gender, state of education, type of institution and knowledge levels about dental traumas. A total of 258 questionnaires were returned, and the One-Way Anova for practitioners' knowledge and the statistical analysis of the relationship between gender, vocational training and training by using Mann-Whitney U tests for participants. Results: As a result of statistical analysis, although there was no statistical difference between pedodontists and endodontists in their knowledge levels, it was found that both occupational groups had higher knowledge level than general dentists (p = 0,0001). While there was a significant difference between practitioners at university and oral and dental health hospital (p = 0.0001), there was no difference between practitioners in university hospital and private office (p = 0.065). Conclusions:In conclusion, general dentists had knowledge of inadequate dental trauma management and the knowledge level of dentists working at oral and dental hospital was lowe (AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o conhecimento de dentistas clínicos gerais endodontistas, odontopediatras sobre o tratamento de traumatismos dentários. Material e métodos: Uma pesquisa na Web, incluindo 13 perguntas, foi preparada utilizando os formulários do Google. Um link para a pesquisa foi enviado aos dentistas clínicos gerais, endodontistas e odontopediatras via mídia social. O questionário solicitou informações sobre idade, sexo, estado da educação, tipo de instituição e níveis de conhecimento sobre traumas dentários. Um total de 258 questionários foram devolvidos e o One-way ANOVA foi utilizado para avaliar o conhecimento dos profissionais e a análise estatística da relação entre gênero, treinamento vocacional e treinamento foi realizada utilizando o teste de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: como resultado da análise estatística, embora não tenha havido diferença estatística entre pediatra e endodontista em seus níveis de conhecimento, verificou-se que ambos os grupos ocupacionais apresentaram maior nível de conhecimento que os dentistas em geral (p = 0,0001). Embora tenha havido uma diferença significativa entre os profissionais da universidade e o hospital de saúde bucal e odontológico (p = 0,0001), não houve diferença entre os profissionais do hospital universitário e consultório particular (p = 0,065). Conclusões: Em conclusão, os dentistas clíncos-gerais tinham conhecimento de tratamento inadequado do traumatismo dentário e o nível de conhecimento dos dentistas que trabalhavam nos hospitais odontológicos era menor. (AU)

Current trends in technological armamentarium and treatment among Brazilian endodontists

Aim: To determine the current trends in technological armamentarium and endodontic treatment among Brazilian endodontists. Methods: A total of 279 endodontists answered a web-based survey questionnaire about their region of activity in Brazil and years as a specialist, average number of endodontic cases treated per month, number of visits to complete the treatment, use of rubber dam for isolation, type of irrigant, obturation technique and device used for this purpose, temporary filling materials, and greater difficulty encountered during treatment and technological armamentarium. A descriptive analysis, expressed in terms of frequency and percentage, was performed and the data were correlated using the chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: Most of the respondents had up to 10 years as specialists. More than 50% of endodontists preferred to complete the endodontic treatment in a single visit. Ninety-nine percent of endodontists used rubber dam for isolation. NaOCl was the most widely used irrigant. Most of the respondents associated different techniques for root canal filling. Lateral condensation and Continuous wave of condensation were the isolated technique most reported. Filling devices (thermocompactors) were used by 53% of endodontists. Glass ionomer was the preferred temporary filling material. The answers for the use of technological armamentarium revealing that 94% of endodontists used an apex locator; 67.38% utilized magnification (loupe: 23.66%; microscope: 35.48%; microscope and loupe: 8.24%); 58% reported to digital radiography; and 47.31% used computed tomography as a complementary tool. About mechanized instrumentation, 44.44% endodontists employed rotary and reciprocating files. The difficulties encountered during endodontic treatment were classified as preparation > access > obturation > anesthesia > isolation. Conclusions: Most endodontists have implemented new technologies, such as mechanical instrumentation, apex locators, magnification, digital radiography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and obturation tools, in their clinical practice (AU)