Selection of direct posterior dental restoratives by dentists

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the selection of direct posterior restorative materials by dentists in Nairobi and determine the reasons for preference of indicated materials. Oesign: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: The study was undertaken in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Subjects: Registered dentists practicing in public and private institutions. Materials and Methods: A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed to the dentists who consented to participate in the study and collected after one week by the investigator. Results: Of the 145 registered practicing dentists, 68 responded, 38 (56%) males and 27 (40%) females whereas 3 (4%) did not indicate their gender. Majority of the dentists indicated they used dental amalgam(DA) for an MOD cavity on a premolar always 26 (47%) and most of the time 23 (42%). Direct resin composite was used always by 4 (1 0%) and most of the time by 14 (35%). A sizeable number of dentists 38 (58%) used glass ionomer cement for posterior restorations in deciduous teeth. Compomer w.seldom indicated in both permanent and deciduous posterior restorations. The reason for preference of DA was good performance history (41.1 %) ease of manipulation of the filling material (26%) Conclusion: Dental amalgam was the most preferred material in direct posterior restorations in permanent teeth. Conversely glass ionomer cement was most applied for deciduous teeth restorations.