Use of nickel-titanium rotary instruments by endodontists in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Clacir de Lourdes Londero Zenkner, Claudia Londero Pagliarin, Gabriele Pavanelo Perez, Fernando Branco Barletta

Objective: To assess the use of nickel-titanium rotary instruments among endodontists in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Methods: A survey was conducted with all endodontists registered at the Regional Council of Dentistry (CRO/RS). Results: A total of 430 questionnaires were sent to endodontists via regular mail, and 106 returned (25% return rate). The great majority of respondents (88.7%) reported to have already used nickel-titanium rotary instruments, and 44.3% of these reported to have received training as part of lato sensu specialization programs. The main advantages associated with rotary vs. manual instrumentation were less fatigue to the professional and improved comfort to the patient (29%), and faster instrumentation (24.9%). Cost was the most frequent reason for not using or for interrupting use of rotary instrumentation (55.8% and 59.3%, respectively). The most frequent problem observed was file fracture (54%). A longer time working as an endodontist negatively influenced the use of endodontic instruments (p = 0.03), but did not affect file fracture. Conclusion: Most of the endodontists in the state of Rio Grande do Sul use and recognize the benefits of rotary instrumentation. However, the high costs involved and frequent file fracture impede a more extensive use of this technology.

Keywords: Instrumentation. Endodontics. Diffusion of innovation.

How to cite: Zenkner CLL, Pagliarin CL, Perez GP, Barletta FB. Use of nickel-titanium rotary instruments by endodontists in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Dental Press Endod. 2011 July-Sept;1(2):45-51.

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