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.

Endodontics Program Directors', Residents', and Endodontists' Considerations About CBCT-Related Graduate Education.

Over the past decade, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been increasingly used by endodontists. The aims of this study were to assess endodontic program directors', residents', and endodontists' considerations concerning CBCT-related graduate education, attitudes, and professional behavior. Survey data were collected from 31 of the 56 directors of U.S. endodontic graduate programs, 73 of 270 contacted residents, and 689 of 2,221 contacted endodontists (response rates 55%, 27%, and 31%, respectively). Ten of the 31 responding programs did not offer a CBCT-related class. Of the 21 programs that offered a CBCT class, 91% of the program directors and 85% of the residents agreed strongly that future endodontists need training to be able to use CBCT. Residents were less satisfied than directors with the way CBCT was taught (on a five-point scale with 1=most negative: 3.26 vs. 4.37; p<0.001) and the quality of their clinical CBCT-related education (3.75 vs. 4.62; p<0.001). Both groups strongly agreed that there is a need for CBCT training in endodontics (4.81 vs. 4.90). Endodontists reported being less well educated than residents about CBCT in classroom-based (2.02 vs. 2.70; p<0.001) and clinical graduate education settings (2.09 vs. 2.97; p<0.001) and wanted more CBCT-related education in endodontic programs (4.37 vs. 3.18; p<0.001). Yet, they reported being more confident than residents in interpreting CBCT scans (3.57 vs. 2.75; p<0.001) and rated themselves more positively as having sufficient clinical experience (3.76 vs. 2.92; p<0.001) to be competent in utilizing CBCT. These findings about residents' and practicing endodontists' CBCT-related considerations suggest that endodontic program directors should add more CBCT-related education.

Diagnóstico diferencial da sinusite de origem odontológica por meio da tomografia computadorizada / Differential diagnosis of dental sinusitis with the aid of computed tomography

O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar três casos clínicos com diagnóstico de sinusite de origem odontológica, ou síndrome endo-antral, um quadro inflamatório infeccioso de origem endodôntica que acomete dos tecidos e mucosa do seio maxilar adjacentes aos ápices radiculares.Os casos apresentados chamam a atenção para a dificuldade do diagnóstico apenas coma radiografia periapical e a importância da tomografia computadorizada como recurso auxiliar.

The aim of the current article is to report three clinical cases diagnosed as sinusitis of dental origin, or endo-antral syndrome, an inflammatory condition of endodontic infection origin that affects the tissues and mucosa of the adjacent maxillary sinus up to the root apex. The presented cases draw attention to the difficulty of diagnosis only with periapical radiography and the importance of computed tomography as an auxiliary resource.

Risk management in clinical practice. Part 4. Endodontics.

Endodontic procedures are challenging and technically demanding. In the UK standards of treatment have been shown to have fallen short of acceptable guidelines, laying many dentists open to litigation on questions of clinical negligence by patients who understand and know what should be considered as current best practice in this area. Failure to communicate with patients about the procedure and not obtaining consent for treatment is a key area of complaint, as is inadequate record keeping. When treatment is undertaken within the framework of accepted guidelines it would be very difficult for a patient to open a claim for clinical negligence should a failure occur. This article looks at potential dento-legal problems in endodontics and how, through compliance with best practice, they may be avoided.

Modern office design in the "information age".

This article reviews the process of reaching the goal of modernizing a new or existing endodontic office. Incorporating computer-based technologies in the office requires significant planning, best achieved by forming a technology goal that addresses budget, knowledge base, and infrastructure issues. Making the transition to the modern dental practice is expensive and time-consuming but also profitable and exciting. Soon, all dental offices will be using digital radiographic systems, video systems, and patient charting programs that use no paper documentation. As the computer familiarity and staff knowledge based increases with the growing use of computers in society overall, finding the office personnel able to harness the efficiency and power of the technology in the dental office will be easier. Through careful planning and formation of a reasonable technology goal, updating an old office or creating a new modern endodontic practice with the technologies and their patients can benefit.