Features of endodontic treatment of teeth with curved root canals according to a survey of dentists

Purpose: to identify difficulties of endodontic treatment of teeth with curved root canals according to a survey of dentists. Materials and methods: 90 dentists (26 men, 64 women) participated in the survey. 68 people had a therapeutic certificate, 19 people had an orthopedic certificate, 10 people had a surgical certificate, 6 people had a certificate in pediatric dentistry, and 43 people had a certificate in general dentistry (some respondents indicated that they had several certificates). The average age of respondents is 32 years (23–60). The interviewed dentists conduct practical work in public medical institutions, private dental clinics, and rented offices. The questionnaire included 20 questions (6 questions were aimed at collecting demographic data, 14 questions were aimed at obtaining information about the treatment of teeth with curved root canals). The questionnaire was submitted electronically to Google Forms. Statistical analysis of conjugacy tables using the Pearson chi-square test was performed using the program StatTech (Russia). Results: this survey reliably showed that dentists often experience difficulties in treating teeth with curved root canals. Dentists working in state institutions are significantly more likely to note that the rubberdam latex interferes (p= 0.049) and the clamp bow (p= 0.029) compared to doctors working in other institutions. Dentists working in a rented office are significantly more likely to report that a rubberdam latex interferes (p= 0.024) compared to doctors working in other institutions. Dentists who report difficult access when working with the mesial buccal canal of the lower molars are significantly more likely to note that a rubberdam latex interferes (p= 0.036). Dentists who use the approach «first negotiation to the working length – then coronal flaring» significantly more often experience difficulties when working with the mesial buccal first canal of the upper molars . Conclusions: the results of the survey demonstrated a number of differences in the performance of endodontic treatment of teeth with curved root canals. Based on the survey, statistically significant relationships were identified between some work features and difficulties encountered by doctors at the stages of treatment.