Diagnostic methods for dental caries used by private dental practitioners in Ankara

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the preference profiles of various types of diagnostic tools and methods used by private dental practitioners in Ankara for detecting dental caries.Methods: Private dental practitioners, in five districts of Ankara, were provided with questionnaires comprising demographic characteristics, possession of dental imaging systems, and methods used for caries diagnosis. The questionnaires were retrieved after 1-3 visits. Of 722 questionnaires, 371 were returned. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis and Chi-square tests.Results: The completed questionnaires were obtained from 160 women and 168 men, the response rate was 51.4%; aged 25-69 years; 28.4% of them were specialists. Most participants possessed a dental radiography (RG) device. Air drying and sharp explorers were the most commonly preferred methods used for caries diagnosis. There was no significant association between using a sharp explorer and sex or being a specialist (P = 0.110, 0.226, respectively). Almost one-third of the dentists with an experience of <11 years, never used an RG device to detect occlusal caries (P = 0.003). Only three participants reported the use of DIAGNOdent, while two participants used fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI).Conclusions: It was observed that visual-tactile examination using sharp explorer accompanied with radiographs were among the main instruments used for detecting carious lesions. Usage of magnification tools, FOTI, and DIAGNOdent were low.Keywords: Caries, dental health, diagnostic research, epidemiology, oral healt

Clinical assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate in the treatment of deep carious lesions

Objective: This clinical study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH] 2) in the treatment of deep carious lesions using the direct complete caries excavation technique.Subjects and Methods: Hundred permanent molars/premolars were capped either with Ca (OH)2 (n = 49) or MTA (n = 51) and restored with composite resin in 73 patients. Periapical radiographs were taken prior to the treatment, at 6 months and 12 months. Two calibrated examiners clinically and radiographically assessed the periapical pathology and pulpal symptoms. Inter‑group comparisons of the observed values were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Significance was predetermined at α = 0.05.Results: Recall rates were 100% at 6 and 12 months. Four teeth capped with Ca(OH)2 (two each at the end of 6 and 12 months) and one tooth capped with MTA (at the end of 12 months) received endodontic emergency treatment because of symptoms of irreversible pulpitis that were clinically and/or radiographically established. There was no significant difference between the protection of the tooth vitality and pulp capping agents at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.238, P = 0.606, respectively).Conclusion: Both materials were clinically applicable at the end of 12 months.Keywords: Calcium hydroxide, complete caries excavation, deep carious lesions, mineral trioxide aggregate, pulp cappin