Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Dental Professionals in Central India regarding Amalgam Restoration and Composite Restoration as Posterior Restorative Material: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: The restoration of teeth, which are most often damaged by trauma or dental caries, remains the majority of general dentists’ main area of focus on a daily basis. A major cause of concern in dental practice is the failure of dental restorations. Dental practitioners tend to employ dental amalgam and composite restorations more commonly. Aim: To evaluate the preference of amalgam or composite as a posterior restorative material among different groups of dental professionals in central India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among 153 dental professionals including general dentists, endodontists, other specialists and postgraduate students in central India between July 2021 to December 2021. Questionnaire containing fifteen close ended and two open ended questions assessing different methods of restoring posterior teeth in different conditions of tooth, choice of patient, physical properties and future scope of restorative material. Following validation, the questionnaire given to targeted population. Data was collected and statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Comparison between different dental professional groups was performed using chi-square test. Results: A 76.9% endodontists and 83.5% postgraduate students preferred composite in routine dental practice. A 76.9% endodontists and 70.9% postgraduate students opted for restorative material depending on clinical indications. A 46.2% endodontists choose amalgam restoration as posterior restorative material in patients with poor oral hygiene. A 52.6% general dentists preferred amalgam as restorative material in large cavities over composite restoration. Most of the endodontists, general dentists and postgraduates choose composite as restorative material due to aesthetic, less enamel removal during cavity preparation and patient’s request. Postrestoration sensitivity after amalgam restoration was stated by 64.9% general dentists. Conclusion: Composite restoration was the most preferable posterior restorative material in routine dental practice among different groups of dental professionals. The ultimate decision on the best material for patients based on their clinical circumstances, teeth, and patient requests was a desirable approach to embrace.