Amalgam Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amalgam, including details on dental fillings, dentistry, side-effects.

Treatment concepts for restoration of endodontically treated teeth: A nationwide survey of dentists in Germany.

Naumann M, Kiessling S, Seemann R

Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Geriatric Dentistry.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Opinions concerning proper restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) vary. A variety of techniques and materials for post-and-core restorations are available. The rationale for post placement performed by German dentists was unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine current opinions, applied techniques, and materials for the restoration of ETT in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey containing 18 multiple choice questions regarding treatment philosophies, favored post type, and materials for core foundations was mailed to 36,500 German general dentists. A total of 6029 questionnaires (16.5%) were returned. Data were evaluated in terms of the dentists' occupational experience and the frequency of post placement. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Irrespective of their occupational experience, 52% of the surveyed dentists consider post placement for almost every postendodontic restoration of ETT. The majority of dentists (54%) believe that a post reinforces ETT. Cast posts and cores are used by 55% of all dentists, whereas 34% use prefabricated posts exclusively. Screw posts are the most popular prefabricated post type (47%). Composite resin (51%) is preferred for core foundation, followed by glass ionomer cements (GICs) (26%). Amalgam is seldom used (0.5%). Posts are placed primarily with zinc phosphate cement (51%), followed by GIC (38%). CONCLUSION: The treatment philosophy of German dentists is not in complete agreement with recommendations found in the literature. The belief that a post would reinforce an ETT might explain the high frequency of post placements. Due to the partially inconsistent responses, it is difficult to derive a generalized treatment concept.

Published 13 November 2006 in J Prosthet Dent, 96(5): 332-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Amalgam Research Today. All Rights Reserved.