The knowledge about vital pulp therapy of permanent teeth among Saudi internship dentists and dental students

[摘要] Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Saudi internship dentists and dental students about the different types of vital pulp therapy (VPT) of permanent teeth. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive survey regarding different types of VPT were distributed either by E-mail or hard copies to internship dentists and clinical levels of dental students at seven different dental schools in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze the responses to the questions. Results: A total of 363 participants were included in this survey: 69.4% were male, and 30.6% were female. 27.3% of participants were internship dentists. About 74.4% of the participants believe that cone-beam computed tomography provides more accurate information about the root formation compared to conventional radiographs. About 44.4% of participants did not agree that sodium hypochlorite serves as an excellent diagnostic tool to differentiate irreversible from reversible pulpitis and to help determine whether to proceed with partial pulpotomy, complete pulpotomy, or pulpectomy. 33.3% did not know that if mineral trioxide aggregate is substituted for calcium hydroxide in VPT procedures, similar time periods for apical maturation can be anticipated. There was no significant statistical difference among all examined groups regarding to knowledge and awareness about VPT. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this survey-based investigation among internship dentists and clinical levels' dental students, it was concluded that the participants had average knowledge about the different types and steps of VPT.

[学科分类] 口腔科学

[关键词] Apexification;apexogenesis;direct pulp capping;immature;mineral trioxide aggregate;pulpotomy