A Survey on the Current Trends in the Use of Different Core Buildup Materials and Luting Agents in General Dental Practice

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the survey was to evaluate the current trends in the use of different post and core buildup materials and luting agents. Materials and methods: The survey questionnaire, aimed toward evaluating the current trends in the use of different post and core buildup materials and luting agents, consisted of 15 questions. This questionnaire was validated by a panel of senior prosthodontists and sent to 600 dental practitioners in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in a printed format. Results and conclusion: The results of the survey showed that post and core procedures are routinely performed by dental practitioners. Majority of the practitioners did not use a post for all endodontically treated teeth. A prefabricated metal post and composite core was preferred by practitioners in teeth with loss of more than two-thirds of the tooth structure. Most practitioners preferred a glass fiber post with composite core buildup under a lithium disilicate crown. A glass ionomer-based restorative core was preferred in the posterior region. Majority of the practitioners used glass ionomer cement (GIC) for luting of ceramo-metal crowns. Resin cement was the cement of choice for luting of lithium disilicate crowns. Failure of teeth restored with a post and core was rarely encountered by most practitioners and the most common cause of failure was due to fracture of the tooth.