Knowledge and practice of pulp therapy in deciduous teeth among general dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background:It has been observed that the general dentists and pedodontists differ in their treatment recommendations for pulp therapy in deciduous teeth.Aim:To determine the knowledge and practice of pulp therapy in deciduous teeth by general dental practitioners (GDP) in two cities of southern Saudi Arabia.Subjects and Methods:Fifty GDP selected at random from government and private dental clinics were questioned about pulp therapy in deciduous teeth in Abha and Najran cities using a 10-item questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 11.0 and descriptive statistics were obtained.Results:All 50 participants responded to the survey. Pulpotomy was suggested as the first line of treatment for pulp-exposed primary tooth by 32 respondents with 44 using Buckley's formocresol and 32 applying it on the pulp for 5 minutes. 43 respondents squeeze dried the cotton pellet before application on the pulp. In pulpectomy procedure 44 respondents preferred zinc oxide eugenol as obturation material with 22 using handheld reamers and 15 using slow-speed lentilospirals for obturation. 12 respondents used obturation techniques which had no scientific relevance. In order of preference Glass ionomer cement (GIC), silver amalgam, and stainless steel crowns were the materials of choice for final restoration of endodontically treated deciduous teeth. All 50 answered in the affirmative when asked if they would like to have additional information about pulp therapy in deciduous teeth.Conclusion:The study concluded that general dentists were regularly performing pulp therapy in decidous teeth and therefore need to be frequently updated about these procedures.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of a group of dental practitioners in treating deep carious primary teeth in Saudi Arabia

“…The responsibility therefore lies with the clinician to decide the treatment modality to be done. Maintaining the vitality of the pulp of the tooth affected by caries, traumatic injury, or other possible causes is the clinician's main objective [12] .…”

“…The lack of the dentist's knowledge or the child's cooperation could lead to wrong or incom-plete treatment of the affected tooth [12] . This leads to an increase of unnecessary extractions of primary teeth [12] .…”

“…The lack of the dentist's knowledge or the child's cooperation could lead to wrong or incom-plete treatment of the affected tooth [12] . This leads to an increase of unnecessary extractions of primary teeth [12] . Alongside personal care and oral hygiene, modern dental science has progressed enough to preserve teeth from decay and to maintain the teeth as long as possible [14] .…”

Survival and Factors Associated with Failure of Pulpectomies Performed in Primary Teeth by Dental Students

“…The preservation of primary teeth in the arch closer to their physiological exfoliation is fundamental for space maintenance and eruption of the permanent successors (1). Pulpectomy is a technique recommended for the treatment of irreversible pulp inflammation or necrosis caused by dental trauma or caries, and is considered a conservative option compared with tooth extraction (2).…”

“…Pulpectomy is a technique recommended for the treatment of irreversible pulp inflammation or necrosis caused by dental trauma or caries, and is considered a conservative option compared with tooth extraction (2). The main goal of endodontic intervention is to recover the functional aspects of the affected tooth by healing or preserving the integrity of the periapical tissue, while eliminating the microorganisms from root canals to prevent subsequent reinfection (1,3).…”