Assessment of Crown and Fixed Partial Denture Workquality: A Survey among General Dentists and Specialists in Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that impression materials and techniques used in general dental practice for fixed partial
dentures vary from those taught in dental schools. Very few studies have been done in Tripoli, Libya to assess the
trends of fixed partial denture practice done by private practitioners. This survey used a questionnaire which was
designed to assess the quality of crown and fixed partial denture work amongst dentists in Tripoli, Libya.
A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions was distributed randomly among 200 specialists and general dentists
who work in private clinics and public health centers in Tripoli; out of which 146 were filled, giving a response
rate of 73%. The results showed that, 23.25% of general dentists never make a primary impression before their
work, 60% of them always make a primary impression, while (98%) of prosthodontists always make a primary
impression. Only (47.8%) of general dentists use retraction cord while 52.3% of the surveyed general dentists never
applied retraction cord in crown and bridge practice. Amongst the prosthodontists, 92.85% use gingival retraction
cord, 7.14% use electrosurgery for gingival retraction. 38.63% of the surveyed general dentists in this study never
disinfect the impression before sending it to the dental laboratory, while (45.7%) of prosthodontists always disinfect
the impression and 42.2% often, and only 12.1% never.
Results showed that 53.49% of the surveyed general dentists never use temporary crown and bridge after tooth
preparation, and 46.51% use temporary crown and bridge after tooth preparation, on the other hand 93% of
prosthodontists use temporary prosthesis after tooth preparation. Amongst the prosthodontists, and general dentists
glass ionomer cement is most commonly used for cementation of fixed partial denture, followed by adhesive resin
cement and zinc polycarboxylate cement.
It was concluded that, the ideal materials, technique, and armamentarium are required for the long-term success of
the fixed prosthodontics work.
Most of the prosthodontists used recommended impression materials and techniques, which were not followed by the
majority of general dentists.