The Adoption of New Endodontic Technology among General Dental Practitioners in Denmark

Within the last decade major technological breakthroughs have been made in endodontic treatment procedures.The advent of the nickel-titanium alloy as well as rotary systems to machine instruments and alternative methods to disperse guttapercha are supposed to facilitate technique and improve the technical results.There are few data available on how this new technology has diffused into general dental practice. Objective: To investigate the adoption of new endodontic technology in general dental practice. Method: A questionnaire covering various aspects of endodontic procedures was distributed among a sample (n=231) of members of the Copenhagen Society of General Dental Practitioners (GDP). Results: Nickel-titanium hand instruments were commonly used by 14% of the GDPs, and rotary systems were adopted by 10%. Electronic canal measuring devices were incorporated in the routine practice of 20% of the dentists. Seventeen percent reported that warm gutta-percha was used to obturate most root canals. Most GDPs (58%) spent more than one visit to complete the mechanical preparation of a molar tooth. In 55% more than two appointments were used to complete the treatment of a tooth with apical periodontitis. Conclusion: This investigation indicates that new endodontic technology has had a slow adoption rate among Danish GDPs. Also, treatment procedures seem to be prolonged in time.