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The use of radiography and the apex locator in endodontic treatment within the UK : a comparison between endodontic specialists and general dental practitioners
Author(s) -
Orafi I.,
Rushton V. E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2012.02127.x
Subject(s) - endodontist , medicine , radiography , dentistry , apex (geometry) , endodontics , root canal , pulpitis , orthodontics , surgery , pulp (tooth) , anatomy
Aim To investigate the attitudes of general dental practitioners ( GDP s) and specialist endodontists working in the UK in the use of radiography and apex locators during root canal treatment and to see if use was related to respondent's age and the year of graduation. Methodology A postal questionnaire was sent to 857 randomly selected GDP s and all endodontic specialists working in the UK (170). Non‐responders were sent a further two mailings. Chi‐squared tests were used to compare both groups at the P < 0.05 level of significance. For nonparametric data, the M ann– W hitney U test was employed. Results The overall response rate was 73%. There were significant differences between endodontic specialists and GDP s in the prescription of the preoperative, the cone‐fit and the postoperative radiograph. A total of 114 (86.4%) endodontic specialists and 321 (53.2%) GDP s reported using an apex locator ( P < 0.001). Eighty‐eight (66.7%) endodontists and 217 (36%) GDP s used an apex locator and a radiograph to determine the working length for a single‐rooted tooth ( P < 0.001). For multi‐rooted teeth, 91 (68.9%) endodontists and 229 (38%) GDP s used a combined approach of an electronic apex locator and a working‐length radiograph ( P < 0.001). One‐millimetre short of the radiographic apex was employed by 56.2% of respondents as the apical limit. There were significant differences ( P < 0.001) between the two groups with regard to routine radiographic follow‐up. Conclusions Both endodontists and GDP s were found to be observing national guidelines when performing root canal treatment. Greater use of apex locators was found amongst endodontists who tended to use a combined approach of an apex locator and periapical radiography.