Endodontic Markers Amongst Victorian General Practitioners

Methods: A 23 question survey regarding endodontic practices and procedures was mailed (with an electronic option to complete), to Victorian private practitioners. Questions addressed the use of; rubber dam,  irrigant type, types of rotary systems used, hand instrument techniques, medicaments, magnification, obturation materials and techniques and referral patterns.

Results: Nine and a half percent (221) responded. A majority of Victorian respondents (98%) indicated that they use rubber dam, the most common reason against being patients object to its use ( 64%). The most popular type of rubber dam used (76%) was latex based. Respondents who use isolation aids represented 48%. EDTA was the most common choice of irrigant used (69%), followed by Milton’s® (51%), and Sodium Hydroxide (46%). The use of endodontic lubricant was favoured by 65% of respondents, with 70% indicating that they use RC Prep®, and 17% Glyde®. Rotary techniques were used by 79% of respondents. All non-users of rotary techniques had concerns about instrument fracture. Ledermix® was the favoured dressing material (79%), followed by calcium hydroxide (71%) and Pulpdent® (46%). The most popular filling techniques were lateral condensation (62%) and Thermafil® (23%). A total of 92% used Resin sealer. Sixty four percent of respondents indicated that they use magnification. A majority (57%) indicated that the percentage of patients referred was less than 10%. Fifty eight percent spend less than 25% of their clinical practice time devoted to endodontics, with 34% indicating less than 10%.

Conclusions:

Victorian dentists appear to be following accepted endodontic principles, with the take-up of magnifying aids and rotary instrumentation techniques appearing high.