Abstract
Objectives The purpose of the current study was to collect information about some techniques
and armamentarium currently used by the Saudi Board of Endodontics residents in relation
to the technical steps of root canal therapy.
Materials and Methods A web-based survey was sent to the Saudi Board of Endodontics residents, based in
the western area of Saudi Arabia. The survey assessed controversial concepts, and
collected information regarding new instruments and materials, used in the technical
steps of nonsurgical root canal treatment. A one-sample chi-square test, with a 95%
level of significance, was applied to determine whether there were significant differences
between respondents’ answers.
Results A total of 45 out of 50 residents (90%) responded to the questionnaire. The majority
of Saudi Board residents of Endodontics, who participated in this survey, used the
mean of working length (ML) measured by periapical X-Ray and apex locator in the presence
of a radiographic lesion (63.3%), and maintained apical patency in all cases (80.0%).
ProTaper Universal (40%) and ProTaper Next (41.2%) were the most common NiTi rotary
systems used for root canal instrumentation. Thirty percent of respondents used adjunct
device with irrigation, and 80% advocated smear layer removal. Zinc oxide–eugenol-based
sealers were the most common used sealers (70%), and most residents (86.6%) did not
advocate sealer extrusion.
Conclusions This study revealed that residents of the Saudi Board of Endodontics program adopt
new endodontic technologies. There is, however, a need for more investigations regarding
this objective, including responses from all residents in Saudi Arabia.
Keywords
Saudi Board of Endodontics - endodontic therapy - radiography - root canal - surveys
- technology
