Knowledge and clinical practice of adhesive protocols for composite restorations among dental practitioners in Islamabad

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge and clinical practice of adhesive protocol of composite restorations among dental practitioners working in dental hospitals and clinics of Islamabad. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study Place and Duration: Islamabad Medical and Dental College, from 1st October 2017 to 20th March 2018. Methodology: A pre piloted questionnaire was used to record information related to knowledge and clinical practice of adhesive protocols in composite restorations. The questionnaire contained questions regarding increment selection, adhesive approach, adhesive preference, isolation approach, bond strength, postoperative sensitivity. Data was assessed for knowledge regarding adhesive protocols and its clinical application in light of responses obtained in questionnaire. Results: Among total of 172 respondents 97.1% utilized incremental technique for composite restoration and 84.3% used etch and rinse approach for adhesion. About 46.5% of the respondents identified the IV generation adhesives as “gold standard”. Regarding clinical practice, IV generation adhesives were used by 29.7% of the practitioners. The knowledge of recommended isolation method for adhesive restorations was identified as rubber dam by 88.4% but only 4.7% identified the clinical practice of always applying it while doing an adhesive restoration. Conclusion: Most of the dental practitioners possess evidence based knowledge regarding adhesive protocols for composite restorations. However the clinical practice of an occasional use of rubber dam and the use of simplified adhesives is not in accordance with the established evidence based practice.