The use of instruments by Iranian endodontics and general practioners

The current clinical practice of endodontics involves utilization of a variety of new technological advances and materials. Technologies available for use in endodontic offices today include battery or electric motors using NiTi rotary file systems, new generation of electronic apex locators (EALs), improved digital radiographic sensors, surgical microscopes, and ultrasonic units. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and use of newer technologies among Iranian dental practitioners.

The population under study included the dental practitioners participating in the 49th and 50(th) Congress of Dentistry, who were selected with a simple sampling method. Data was collected by questionnaires which were completed by the participants in an anonymous manner. The contingency table and chi-squared test were used for data analysis by SPSS 13.5 software.

A total of 700 dental practitioners participated in the study; NiTi rotary systems were used by 50.1%; electronic apex locators were often employed by 46.3%; 21.7% reported that ultrasonic units were often used. Only 1.1% frequently used surgical microscopes. Males and females differed with respect to the use of newer technologies (P<0.05).

Based on the results of the present study, it seems necessary for dentists to take part in continuing dental education programs related to the newer technologies to improve their knowledge and practice.