Endodontic practice amongst Nigerian dentists undergoing postgraduate training.

INTRODUCTION: this study aimed at finding out current practice of endodontics amongst Nigerian dentists undergoing postgraduate training (also referred to as dental resident doctors) in different institutions across the nation. METHODS: a questionnaire-based, cross sectional study was conducted amongst dentists undergoing postgraduate training. Questions were asked on demographics, protocol for root canal treatment (RCT), materials employed in different stages. Opinions were also sought on satisfaction with their practice and training needs in endodontics. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 and presented as tables and charts. Significance level was set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: ninety dentists undergoing postgraduate training (57 males and 33 females) with mean age of 34.81 ± 5.9 years participated in the study. Root canal treatment was mostly done in multiple visits in both single and multi-rooted teeth (p=0.01), only about 15% performed the procedure on multi rooted teeth. Sixty-five (72.2%) never used Rubber dam, stainless steel files were being used by 69%, step down technique of preparation by 53.9% and Sodium hypochlorite was the major irrigant (80%) used. Obturation was majorly with Cold lateral compaction technique (94%), 57.2% delayed definitive restoration for maximum of 1 week and amalgam was still the major material used for posterior teeth as reported by 62.9% of the participants. The majority (55.6%) were not satisfied with their current knowledge and practice and most were those that did not have good undergraduate training (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: the practice of endodontics needs standardization across the nation as it is being advocated in other countries. There is need for hands on-training on endodontics to encourage adoption of new advances in technology, as well as improve the training of postgraduate dentists in endodontics. Also, emphasis should be placed on use of rubber dam in order to minimize the spread of infection and protect the patients from aspiration of small instruments involved in endodontic procedure.

Perception about tooth colour and appearance among patients seen in a tertiary hospital, South-West, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: patients´ satisfaction with their dental appearance and tooth colour is often influenced by certain factors which need to be addressed periodically among different populations. METHODS: a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, questions on patients´ satisfaction with tooth colour, perceived malalignment of teeth, non-aesthetic anterior tooth-coloured restoration and presence of tooth fracture were distributed. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM, SPSS version 20). Chi square was used to test the statistical differences at a significance of p> 0.05. RESULTS: a total of 410 patients (M=147, F=263) participated in the study. About 73% had tertiary education while 36.3% were within the modified ISCO-08 Group 2. The respondents that were satisfied with the general dental appearance and tooth shade were 66.3% and 63.5% respectively. More males (65.1%) than females (62.7%) were satisfied with tooth colour while more females (69.1%) were satisfied with dental appearance. The older age group were more satisfied with dental appearance and tooth colour. Awareness of tooth whitening (Over 80%) and the desire to undergo tooth whitening was more among the post-secondary individuals. More of dental patients (73.1%) than medical (59.2%) were satisfied with teeth appearance (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: patients are increasingly aware of their dental appearance/tooth colour and the need to improve it with tooth bleaching and/or orthodontic treatment. Female were more dissatisfied with their tooth colour but more satisfied with their dental appearance than the male. Older people were more satisfied with their dental appearance and tooth colour compared to younger age group.

SELF REPORTED TOOTH DISCOLORATIONS AMONG PATIENTS SEEN AT DENTAL CENTER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL IBADAN.

BACKGROUND: Tooth discoloration is an aesthetic problem that is linked to a variety of causes and it could be a source of embarrassment, leading to reduced self-esteem. AIM: To determine the prevalence of self reported tooth discoloration and the distribution of the different intrinsic tooth discolorations. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study that reviewed the distribution of tooth discoloration reported by patients that presented for treatment of tooth discoloration at conservation clinic of the dental centre University College Hospital, Ibadan between December 2011 and December 2014. Data collected from patients' case files included patients' demographics, type of tooth discoloration as diagnosed by attending consultant and treatment offered. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and means were used for continuous variables while chi square was used to compare the categorical variables. P value was set at ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty six patients reported tooth discoloration as their major reason for presentation at the clinic. The patients were between age 16-75 years with mean age of 35.62±14.31 years and male to female ratio of 1:1.13. Prevalence of reported tooth discolouration during the study period was 9.8%. Pulpal necrosis was the most reported cause of (86.8%) tooth discolouration, while fluorosis was the least (0.7%) reported. Non vital tooth bleaching was the most common treatment (72.1%) offered for tooth discoloration. No significant comparison was observed between gender and type of tooth discoloration, p=0.088. CONCLUSION: Pulpal necrosis is a major cause of discoloration which leads to reduced self esteem. There is need to improve on dental awareness on causes of tooth discoloration for prevention and early presentation for management.

Dental implant as an option for tooth replacement: The awareness of patients at a tertiary hospital in a developing country.

AIM: A survey was set out to evaluate the knowledge of patients about tooth replacement as a whole, and assess their awareness of implant-retained prosthesis as an option of tooth replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about implant-retained tooth as an option for missing tooth replacement, cost implication, source of information and knowledge about other options of tooth replacement were obtained from patients attending the dental clinics of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, using structured self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULT: A total of 220 patients aged 18-84 years with a mean age of 37.6 (±16.5) years participated in the study, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.1. The majority (92.5%) knew that missing teeth can be replaced, while a significantly lower proportion (28.9%) knew about dental implants as an option (P < 0.01). Dentists were the major source of information on dental implants (68%). Only 21 (36.8%) of those who had heard about dental implant had knowledge about the cost (P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: A low level of awareness about dental implant as tooth replacement option exist in this environment, although most of the study participants were aware that missing teeth can be replaced.