Comparison of root canal treatment quality performed by house surgeons and postgraduate students

ABSTRACT

Endodontics is a challenging discipline, and includes technically demanding procedures in general dental practice. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of root canal treatment performed by house surgeons and postgraduate students, Comparative cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Operative Dentistry, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore [LMDC]. The duration of study was from 13th march 2008 to 12th September 2008. One hundred [100] single rooted teeth of patients reported to the Department of Operative dentistry of LMDC. Patients were randomly allotted and divided in to two groups. Root canal treatment of group A patients was performed by postgraduate students and that of group B by house surgeons. Quality of root canal treatment of both groups was assessed radiographically. A predetermined criterion for assessing quality used in earlier studies was employed. All quality assessment variables for evaluation of root canal which were lateral root seal, adequate length, transportation of apex and instrument fracture showed statistically significant difference between the two groups. The quality of root canal treatment performed by postgraduates was much better than the house surgeons