Research abstract
British Dental Journal 197, 753 - 756 (2004)
Published online: 25 December 2004 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4811905
Contemporary dental practice in the UK: aspects of direct restorations, endodontics and bleaching
N H F Wilson1, G J Christensen2, S W Cheung3, F J T Burke4 & P A Brunton5
- Amalgam continues to predominate as the restorative material of choice for the restoration of permanent teeth.
- Glass-ionomer cements are widely used as luting cements and as bases and restorations by younger practitioners.
- Rubber dam is not used routinely.
- Stainless steel crowns are placed by a minority of practitioners for the restoration of deciduous molars.
Abstract
Objectives To investigate by questionnaire, the use and selection of materials and techniques for the placement of direct restorations and the provision of endodontics and bleaching by dental practitioners in the North West of England and Scotland.
Methods A questionnaire was sent to 1,000 general dental practitioners selected at random from dentists in Scotland and the North West of England. Non-responders were sent another questionnaire after a period of 4 weeks had elapsed.
Results A total of 701 usable questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 70%. The most commonly used material for the restoration of Class II cavities in premolar and permanent molar teeth was amalgam (n = 605, 86%) and (n = 634, 90%) respectively. Many practitioners (n = 419, 60%) felt amalgam should continue to be used but a majority (n = 374, 66%) remained unconvinced about the merits of amalgam bonding. A minority (n = 63, 9%) of practitioners used predominantly directly placed resin composite rather than amalgam to restore Class II cavities in premolar and permanent molar teeth. Home-based vital bleaching was provided by a significant number (n = 245, 35%) of practitioners with only 18% (n = 123) providing practice-based bleaching. The most commonly used endodontic obturation technique was cold lateral condensation (n = 527, 75%) with 61% (n = 425) of respondents not using rubber dam routinely for endodontics.
Conclusions For the practitioners in this survey, amalgam was the most frequently selected direct restorative material. Few practitioners used amalgam bonding let alone direct resin composite for posterior restorations. Home-based rather than practice-based bleaching procedures were preferred, as were more traditional endodontic obturation techniques.
- Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Dental Institute, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE 9RT, UK
- Director, Clinical Research Associates, 3707 N. Canyon Road #6, Provo, Utah 84604, USA
- Statistician, Oxford, UK
- Professor of Primary Dental Care, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, St.Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK
- Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9LU
Correspondence to: P A Brunton5
Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9LU
e-mail: paul.brunton@man.ac.uk