A survey of various endodontic procedures related to mineral trioxide aggregate usage by members of the Australian Society of Endodontology.

This study aims to assess education on the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine among members of the Australian Society of Endodontology (ASE), a society of specialist endodontists (ED) and general dentists with an interest in endodontics (GD). The study also aims to compare the procedural preferences relating to perforation repair, apical barrier, root-end filling and regenerative endodontics. A structured online questionnaire was used, which sought details of the education in the use of MTA and the procedural steps involved in perforation repair, apical barrier, root-end filling and regenerative endodontics. Fisher's exact test was performed to compare the GD with ED. Responses were received from 208 out of 499 ASE members. Some 40% of the total respondents were ED. Almost all ED (98.8%) and some GD (39.8%) used MTA for perforation repairs. Likewise, almost all ED (96.3%) and some GD (42.7%) used MTA for apical barrier procedures. Lack of experience was more of a barrier to its use for GD (48.7%) than its high cost (31.6%). Few members used Biodentine. Significant differences exist in how MTA is used between GD and ED. Experience in handling MTA is a larger barrier to its widespread use in endodontics than its cost.

Cross-sectional study of endodontic treatment in an Australian population.

The quality and technical standard of Australian endodontic treatment is generally unknown. Two hundred and forty-three patients from a metropolitan dental hospital were radiographically assessed for quality of root canal therapy. Total teeth examined were 5647 with 499 teeth (8.84%) being root-filled. Teeth were scored using Ørstavik's Periapical Index. Periapical Index scores indicating a healthy periapical state were found in 392 root-filled teeth (78.56%) and those indicative of periapical disease in 107 root-filled teeth (21.43%). Of the 499 root-filled teeth, 149 (29.9%) were adequate in terms of length, with 120 teeth (80.5%) of these healthy. Three hundred and fifteen teeth (63.1%) were filled short with 271 (86.0%) classified as healthy. Thirty-five teeth (7.0%) were filled long with only one tooth (2.9%) in this category deemed healthy. Four hundred and fifty-nine teeth (92.0%) were adequate in density, with 365 teeth (79.5%) being healthy. Forty teeth (8.0%) showed inadequate density with 27 (67.5%) being healthy. One hundred and forty-five teeth (29.1%) were adequate in length and density with 117 teeth (80.7%) deemed healthy. A significant statistical correlation between root filling quality and periapical status was not found. Factors, such as the coronal restoration quality, should be further investigated.