Treatment preferences for deep caries lesions among Australian dentists

Abstract

Background There is a global disparity in managing deep caries lesions and evidence‐based strategies are not always followed. The aim of this study was to gain insight into current practices of Australian dentists for deep caries management and to determine their procedural and materials choices. Methods An online questionnaire was sent to 1988 randomly selected practitioners across Australia asking their choice of treatment in a tooth showing symptoms of reversible pulpitis and deep caries. A total of 255 (12.6%) practitioners responded. Results About 85% of respondents chose selective caries removal to selective removal (SR) while 15% chose non‐selective removal to hard dentine. Respondents whose preferred approach was SR had greater odds in believing that incomplete caries removal alone would not have any effect on pulp vitality (OR = 5.20) and had greater odds of thinking that peripheral seal was more important than other factors (OR = 3.50). They also had lesser odds of believing that placing a liner would reduce postoperative sensitivity (OR = 0.269) and lesser odds of thinking that removal of all bacteria or carious dentine was important when placing a restoration (OR = 0.196). Conclusion Most Australian dentists reported practising evidence‐based carious tissue removal strategies and accepted the concept of selectively leaving carious dentine under a sealed restoration.

An Evaluation on Deep Caries Removal Method and Management Performed by Undergraduate Dental Students: A Malaysia Experience

“…A survey to Australian and Finland practicing dentists showed that the majority of the respondents adopted MID approach in which they selected selective and stepwise caries removal with 85 and 64% in deep caries management, respectively. 14 15 However, another cohort of dentists in Saudi Arabia and Spain showed the tendency to choose complete caries removal on asymptomatic and symptomatic deep carious lesion with 82.5 and 80%, respectively. 13 16 In mixed and deciduous dentition cases, 31.3 and 38.1% opted for complete caries removal in an asymptomatic and healthy pulp, respectively.…”

Rheological Properties, Surface Microhardness, and Dentin Shear Bond Strength of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements Containing Methacrylate-Functionalized Polyacids and Spherical Pre-Reacted Glass Fillers

“…A clinical trial indicated that the success of the selective caries removal technique at 12 months was not associated with the placement of liner over the demineralized dentin [ 5 ]. However, a recent survey demonstrated that 58% of dental practitioners who performed the selective caries removal technique preferred to place pulp protection materials or liner over the demineralized dentin prior to the placement of definitive restorations [ 6 ].…”

Monomer Conversion, Dimensional Stability, Biaxial Flexural Strength, Ion Release, and Cytotoxicity of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements Containing Methacrylate-Functionalized Polyacids and Spherical Pre-Reacted Glass Fillers

“…A clinical trial demonstrated that the use of liners was not directly associated with treatment success at 12 months [ 5 ]. However, clinicians who perform selective caries removal techniques still prefer to apply pulp protection materials over the remaining carious dentin [ 6 , 7 ]. It is expected that pulp protection materials will exhibit sufficient strength to ensure that the materials can withstand occlusal forces [ 8 ].…”