A comparison of retreatment decisions among general dental practitioners and endodontists.
This study compared the difference in decision making regarding retreatment of endodontically treated teeth by general dental practitioners and endodontists. Thirty radiographs of endodontically treated teeth taken from undergraduate records with their respective case descriptions were submitted to fifteen endodontists and fifteen general dental practitioners. Seven treatment alternatives were given as choices; reasons for retreatment, if chosen, were also requested and presented as choices. The results showed statistically different decisions among these two groups regarding retreatment cases. More endodontists opted for retreatment of cases, while higher percentages of general dentists decided to observe, not treat or extract. To prevent misdiagnosis and eventually mistreatment, endodontic decision making should be taught. Currently, there are no specific guidelines for management of failed root canal retreatment. It is suggested that guidelines generated by evidence-based dentistry may produce less variation in clinical decision making.
Department of Restorative Dental Science, Division of Endodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 5967, Riyadh 11432, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. hi82000@yahoo.com
Hanan Abdul Ghafour
HA
Balto
Ebtissam Mohammed
EM
Al-Madi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001047:Apicoectomy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011364:Professional Practice; D011859:Radiography; D019233:Retreatment; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy