The cientificWorldJOURNAL Research Article An Investigation of Current Endodontic Practice in Turkey

Objectives. The aim of this study was to gather information about the quality and quantity of root canal treatments carried out by general dental practitioners in Turkey. Methods. Questionnaires were given to 1400 dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. The participants were asked to answer 34 multiple-choice questions. The questions were subdivided into 3 main topics; general information; general approach to endodontic treatment; and cleaning, shaping, and obturation of root canals. The statistical analysis was carried out by an χ 2 -test to compare the means at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results. The response rate for this study was 43%. There was a wide variation in the number of root canal treatments completed per month. Nearly 92% of practitioners stated that they never used rubber dam. The most commonly used working length determination technique was radiographic evaluation (P < 0.05). Sodium hypochlorite was the irrigant of choice with varying concentrations and AH Plus was the sealer of choice (P < 0.05). Resin composite was the most frequently used material for final restorations. Conclusions. Endodontic procedures in general practice in Turkey have differences from widely acknowledged quality guidelines. Despite the introduction of new instruments and techniques, most of the general practitioners chose conventional methods

Thrombosis in vasculitis: from pathogenesis to treatment

In recent years, the relationship between inflammation and thrombosis has been deeply investigated and it is now clear that immune and coagulation systems are functionally interconnected. Inflammation-induced thrombosis is by now considered a feature not only of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, but also of systemic vasculitides such as Behçet’s syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis or giant cells arteritis, especially during active disease. These findings have important consequences in terms of management and treatment. Indeed, Behçet’syndrome requires immunosuppressive agents for vascular involvement rather than anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, and it is conceivable that also in ANCA-associated vasculitis or large vessel-vasculitis an aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment during active disease could reduce the risk of thrombotic events in early stages. In this review we discuss thrombosis in vasculitides, especially in Behçet’s syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis and large-vessel vasculitis, and provide pathogenetic and clinical clues for the different specialists involved in the care of these patients

Efficacy of various concentrations of citric acid at different pH values for smear layer removal

Objective. The efficacy of various concentrations of citric acid at different pH values for the removal of the superficial smear layer from dentinal surfaces was examined through the use of scanning electron microscopy

Tetracycline HCl solution as a root canal irrigant

The effect of tetracycline hydrochloride as an endodontic irrigant on smear layer removal was examined by scanning electron microscopy and compared with bidistilled water, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and 50% citric acid in 20 extracted teeth. Five teeth, as a control, were irrigated with bidistilled water only in group 1. All the other groups were irrigated with NaOCl during instrumentation. The final rinses were NaOCl in group 2, citric acid in group 3, and 1 % tetracycline hydrochloride in group 4. Scanning electron microscopic results and statistical analysis revealed that bidistilled water and NaOCl were ineffective in removing the smear layer, whereas citric acid and tetracycline hydrochloride were significantly more effective (p 0.05). However tetracycline hydrochloride demineralized less peritubular dentin

Management of the perforations due to miniplate application

Microdimensioned osteosynthesis using miniplates has been common practice in maxillofacial surgery. ever, tooth injury during the application of the miniplates have been reported in few papers. In this case, a 32-yr-old female patient, whose two teeth were necrosed because of the perforation during screw insertion was presented. The reason of the perforations during the rigid internal fixation was the lack of radiographic assessment because of the pregnancy. Maxillary right first premolar and maxillary left canine were perforated and necrosed because of the screw insertion. The necrosed teeth were detected 1 yr after the rigid internal fixation. The root canals of nonvital teeth were filed using step-down approach. Cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha was used to fill the canals. Six-month recall visits were scheduled and there was no problem after 2-yr follow-up period

Treatment approaches and antibiotic use for emergency dental treatment in Turkey

Rabia Figen Kaptan,1 Faruk Haznedaroglu,2 Fatima Betul Basturk,3 Mehmet Baybora Kayahan11Department of Endodontics, Yeditepe University, 2Department of Endodontics, Istanbul University, 3Department of Endodontics, Marmara University, Istanbul, TurkeyAbstract: The purpose of this study was to gather information about Turkish general dental practitioners&#39; treatment approaches towards endodontic emergencies, antibiotic-prescribing habits, and their participation in lifelong learning programs. Questionnaires were given to dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. From 1,400 questionnaires distributed, 589 (43%) were deemed usable in this study. This survey dealt with questions that were subdivided into two main topics: dental emergency treatment approaches, and antibiotic prescription and information on lifelong learning program participation. The statistical analysis was conducted with a &Chi;2 test at a significance level of P<0.05. For irreversible pulpitis cases in vital teeth, most of the dental practitioners (65.3%) preferred single-visit root canal treatments. For teeth presenting a periapical lesion, the preferred treatment approach was root canal treatment (91.5%). The rate of prescription of analgesics and antibiotics was 21.7% in untreated acute apical periodontitis cases and 41% in acute apical abscess cases. Frequently prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin&ndash;clavulanate (61.8%) and amoxicillin (46.5%). There was a tendency for practitioners to attend congresses as their years of professional practice increased (P<0.0001). There have been discrepancies between taught and observed practice. Educational initiatives are needed to prevent inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.Keywords: antibiotic prescription, endodontic emergency, survey, Turke

An Investigation of Current Endodontic Practice in Turkey

Objectives. The aim of this study was to gather information about the quality and quantity of root canal treatments carried out by general dental practitioners in Turkey. Methods. Questionnaires were given to 1400 dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. The participants were asked to answer 34 multiple-choice questions. The questions were subdivided into 3 main topics; general information; general approach to endodontic treatment; and cleaning, shaping, and obturation of root canals. The statistical analysis was carried out by an -test to compare the means at a significance level of . Results. The response rate for this study was 43%. There was a wide variation in the number of root canal treatments completed per month. Nearly 92% of practitioners stated that they never used rubber dam. The most commonly used working length determination technique was radiographic evaluation (). Sodium hypochlorite was the irrigant of choice with varying concentrations and AH Plus was the sealer of choice (). Resin composite was the most frequently used material for final restorations. Conclusions. Endodontic procedures in general practice in Turkey have differences from widely acknowledged quality guidelines. Despite the introduction of new instruments and techniques, most of the general practitioners chose conventional methods