Posterior composite restorations: Attitudes and knowledge of techniques and problems by dentists in government and private dental practices in Edo state

Abstract

Context: Aesthetic considerations form a major aspect of dental material selection for tooth restorations. Anterior restorative materials exclusively used in anterior teeth. With the advances made, tooth-colored restorative materials are now used in posterior teeth restorations.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the techniques employed, associated problems and the attitudes of dental practitioners to the placement of posterior composites
Method: This was a questionnaire-based study conducted among sixty-eight (68) dentists practicing in public/government-owned and private hospitals.
Results: The results show that 86.8% of the respondents considered the conservation of tooth substance as the most common factor influencing their choice of composite materials for posterior teeth. On their perceptions of posterior composites generally, 77.9% of the respondents agreed that posterior composites needed less destruction of sound tooth substance while 35.0% considered moisture control as the most difficult problem faced during placement of the restoration. Wooden wedges were the most popular wedges while ultraviolet curing light were the most commonly used by the respondents. Majority (82.4%) agreed that calcium hydroxide and glass ionomer cement should only be used in cases of operatively exposed dentine in deep cavities. The percentage that never used rubber dam was 47.1 while incremental curing was the most commonly used method. Sectional matrices were more commonly used by respondents while the most commonly encountered post-treatment problem was the fracture of restorations
Conclusion: While more dental practitioners are embracing the use of composites for posterior restorations, there remains the need to get them to embrace the techniques of placement to ensure more satisfactory and predictable outcomes.