Knowledge and attitudes of students and dentists about the use and cementation of intra-radicular posts

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was assess the knowledge and attitudes of students and dentists about the use and cementation of intra-radicular posts. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study interviewed 150 students and 150 dentists in the city of XXXXXXXXX (Brazil). A questionnaire containing questions regarding restorative choice in teeth with large coronal destruction, level of confidence for the use of post and resin cement, function of intra-radicular posts and social-demographic characteristics was applied. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and associations were tested through logistic regression using 95% confidence intervals. Results: The analysis showed that students presented an odd to choose prefabricated posts 127% greater than the dentists for anterior teeth, 105% greater to choose self-adhesive resin cement and 46% greater to choose conventional resin cement. Considering posterior teeth, students presented an odd to choose prefabricated posts 40% smaller than the dentists and an odd 51% greater to choose conventional resin cement. Conclusion: The formation level (students or dentists) was directly related to clinical choices of the interviewed. The use of prefabricated posts seems to be related to the location of the tooth in the arch, with pre-fabricated posts being more indicated for anterior teeth. Use of pre-fabricated posts in teeth with large coronal destruction is accepted in the literature. However, dentists are still not confident to use of pre-fabricated fiber posts especially in posterior teeth with large coronal destruction.KeywordsResin cements; Post and core technique; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice.