The Status of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate in Endodontics Education in Dental Schools in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the current status of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as an educational material in dental schools in Turkey. A survey was sent to senior members of the endodontic departments of seventeen dental schools; fourteen responded. All respondents reported that they used MTA in their clinical practice, with apexiication, perforations, retrograde illings, and root resorptions being the most frequently occurring treatment procedures. All reported that information was given to students regarding MTA mainly as part of the curriculum. The third and fourth years were the periods when MTA was introduced to students in most of the schools. Twelve schools reported that students had the opportunity to observe procedures in which MTA was used, but students had the chance to use the material in a very minor proportion of the schools, mainly under the supervision of clinical instructors. Ten schools agreed that MTA should be included in the regular endodontic curriculum. Financial constraints seemed to be the predominant reason for those who answered this question negatively, followed by dificult handling properties and low radiopacity of the material. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that ways should be sought to prevent inancial dificulties from depriving dental students of the opportunity to receive information about contemporary methodologies such as MTA utilization.Dr. Tanalp is Associate Professor,

A survey of various endodontic procedures related to mineral trioxide aggregate usage by members of the Australian Society of Endodontology

“…Although much literature from the UK, Europe and the USA describes the high cost of MTA as being the main barrier to its widespread clinical use , the results of this study show that in the Australian context, the main factor which restricts the use of MTA is a lack of formal training in how to use the material appropriately. It is noteworthy that the majority of GD members of the ASE expressed a need to undertake hands‐on training in the use of MTA.…”

Mineral trioxide aggregate and other bioactive endodontic cements: an updated overview – part I: vital pulp therapy

“…, Kahler & Rossi‐Fedele ) and difficult handling characteristics have emerged as potential drawbacks (Parirokh & Torabinejad , von Arx , Tanalp et al . ).…”

“…However, long setting time, tooth discoloration, high cost (Tanalp et al . , Foley , Walker et al . , Kahler & Rossi‐Fedele ) and difficult handling characteristics have emerged as potential drawbacks (Parirokh & Torabinejad , von Arx , Tanalp et al .…”

A Systematic Review Comparing Mineral Trioxide Aggregate to Other Commercially Available Direct Pulp Capping Agents in Dogs

“…33 However, MTA is not without potential drawbacks, including a long setting time, tooth discoloration, high cost and difficult handling characteristics. 23,27,28,34,35 With continued attempts to develop a material without the drawbacks of MTA, MTA-like cements have emerged with descriptors such as "bioceramics" 36 and "bioactive endodontic cements." 23 A review of properties of MTA and MTA-like cements by Ha et al 37 indicated that despite the differences in terminology, these cements are similar in their elemental compositions to MTA and, hence, fall within the description of MTA.…”

“…However, MTA is not without potential drawbacks, including a long setting time, tooth discoloration, high cost and difficult handling characteristics. 23,27,28,34,35…”