Comparative Analysis of Endodontic Instrument Separation, Secondary Errors and Retrieval Techniques in Private and Public Dental Hospitals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/021Keywords:
Endodontic Instrument Separation, Instrument Retrieval Systems, Secondary Procedural Errors, PakistanAbstract
Background: Endodontic instrument separation and secondary procedural errors pose significant challenges in dental clinics. The study aimed to assess and compare the frequency of endodontic instrument separation, retrieval techniques and secondary procedural errors during retrieval in private and public dental hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and Sept 2022 after the IRB approval of CMH Dental College, involving 298 dentists from 4 private and 2 public dental hospitals, using purposive sampling. The inclusion criteria were house officers, postgraduate trainees, demonstrators, assistant professors and above working in the endodontic clinics. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to gather data on demographics, file separation experience, management techniques, and errors during retrieval. Data was analyzed using SPSS and compared using Chi-square test. p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: A total of 69% (n=206) of respondents experienced file separation with no significant difference between private and public hospitals (p=0.475). Private hospitals reported more retrieval attempts (n=88, 53%) compared to public (n=46, 35%) (p=0.002). Instrument Retrieval Systems were more available in private hospitals (p<0.0001). Secondary procedural errors were reported by 47.6% (n=142) of the participants, with no difference between two sectors (p=0.498). Perforation was more common in public hospitals (p=0.032), and secondary file separation was more frequent in private hospitals (p = 0.007). The management strategies varied significantly (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: File separation and secondary procedural error are a common challenge across both sectors with private hospitals exhibiting more proactive retrieval attempts and utilized more advanced techniques.
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