Attitudes, practice, and experience of German dentists regarding repair restorations
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Abstract
Objectives
The aim of the
present study was to perform a representative survey among German
dentists about attitudes, practice, and experience regarding
single-tooth repair restorations.
Materials and methods
An anonymous questionnaire was designed and mailed to all registered dentists in Lower Saxony (n = 6600). Twenty-eight percent were returned (n = 1852), and n
= 1805 could be analyzed. Statistical analyses were done by Wilcoxon
signed-rank tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and ordered logistic
regressions (p < 0.05).
Results
Only 2.2 % of the
dentists declared to never perform repair restorations. Composite
restorations were repaired significantly more often than all other
materials. Frequency of performing repair restorations was partially
associated to dentist-related factors. The decision for repairing a
restoration was dependent on several tooth- and restoration-associated
variables. The main indications for repair were the partial loss of
restoration or adjacent tooth structure as well as chipping and
endodontic access cavities of crowns. Repair restorations were mostly
done with composite using various different preconditioning techniques.
Overall patients’ acceptance was reported to be high. Most of the
dentists considered repair restorations as permanent restoration with a
moderate to high longevity. Estimated success of repair restorations
depended significantly on the dentists’ experiences (frequency and
techniques of repair restorations).
Conclusions
Repair restorations
were often performed and were well accepted by dentists and patients,
but indications for repair restorations as well as applied materials and
techniques varied distinctly.
Clinical relevance
Repairs of
single-tooth restorations are well accepted and frequently performed,
but indications, techniques, and materials require further research.
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