Kui AI, Labuneţ AJ, Popescu C, Popa D, Lascu L. Dentists' perspectives on the choice of treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis.
CLUJUL MEDICAL (1957) 2018;
91:98-103. [PMID:
29440958 PMCID:
PMC5808276 DOI:
10.15386/cjmed-789]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Therapeutic decision in dentistry is a complex cognitive process for the practitioners because it involves taking into consideration several factors, including patients' preferences. The hypothesis of this study was that apicoectomy might be indicated more often than necessary and in order to confirm or invalidate it a survey was designed. We also aimed to explore whether the preferences were associated or not with dentist-related or practice-related characteristics.
METHODS
The survey included questions about treatment options in case of four scenarios, each one concerning an anterior and a posterior tooth with apical periodontitis, with or without previous endodontic treatment and also general questions, such as medical specialties, age and years of experience. The distribution of the questionnaires was done by email and direct distribution in the dental offices, in Cluj County, Romania.
RESULTS
After descriptive statistical analysis was performed, preferences rates were subjected to Chi-square test (including McNemar test for significance). Statistically significant differences were considered when p≤0.05.
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that dentists prefer nonsurgical endodontic treatment in case of a tooth with apical periodontitis. Apicoectomy was the second option treatment preferred by general dentists, oral and maxillo-facial surgeons, prosthodontists and endodontists.
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