Evaluation of professors and students knowledge on crown-root fractures

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge on crownrootfractures among professors and students of a school of dentistry.Material and methods: A questionnaire comprising the treatment optionsfor crown-root fractures at different depths and their follow-up periodswas applied to 122 subjects divided into three groups 1) students whohad not attended any Endodontics and Surgery disciplines, 2) studentswho had concluded these disciplines; and 3) professors. The data wasanalyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Most of Group 1 (90.3%) didnot know the procedures to be adopted in cases of crown-root fractures.Conversely, more than 80% of Group 2 and 95% of Group 3 knew theprocedures. Concerning to crown-root fractures up to 2mm deep, 26.9%of Group 1 and 48.5% of Group 3 would perform crown lengthening;46.2% of Group 2 would perform fragment rebonding. In relation tofractures between 2 and 4mm deep, 21.2% of Group 1 would performtooth extraction; 28.6% of Group 2, fragment rebonding; and 40.7%of Group 3, orthodontic extrusion. In fractures more than 4mm deep,most members of all groups would perform tooth extraction followed byimplant. With regard to follow-up appointments, most members of allgroups stated that their frequency should be at every 6 months (duringthe first year) and every year (for 5 years). Conclusion: Students of Group1 showed poor knowledge on crown-root fractures, while members ofGroups 2 and 3 showed a proper knowledge.