Assessment of Crown and Bridge Work Quality among Sudanese Dentists in Khartoum State.

Objectives: The present study investigated the quality of crown and bridge work among dentists in Khartoum state by mean of a questionnaire. Methods: Questionnaire was distributed to all dentists (about 230) who work in private clinics and primary health centres in Khartoum state. Results: A total of 152 usable questionnaires were collected, giving a response rate of 66.09%. High-speed hand pieces were the instrument of choice 80.54%. The most common used hand pieces according to number of spray ports were found to be the single port (80.43%). Impression materials used by dentists were as follow: additional cured-silicone 7.32%, condensation-cured silicone 24.32% and alginate 68.24%. The putty and wash technique was the most recommended impression technique by the dentists 80.85%.  Impression trays used by dentists: metal tray 23.53%, rigid plastic tray12.5% and both 63.97%. Results in concern of the use of the retracting cord indicated that 53.69% never use it, while and 9.4% always used it in their practice. For interocclusal records wax was the most commonly used material (94.34%). Both verbal and written prescriptions (81.73%) were the most common way of communication between dentist and dental technicians. Results also showed that 36.05% never used temporary crown and bridge. Traditional glass ionomer cements and zinc phosphate cements 56% were equally selected for the luting crown and bridge, while 16.89% used polycaroxylate cement and1.35% used others. Conclusion: the majority of the surveyed dentists mainly used alginate as a final impression material for crown and bridge work. It was also observed, the absence of application of retraction cord and temporary restoration in the practice of crown and bridge work.