Knowledge, awareness, and approaches of dentistry students about separated instruments in root canals: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Purpose: This survey aims to assess the understanding, viewpoints, and methods employed by undergraduate dental students in the fourth and fifth grades regarding broken endodontic instruments in root canal procedures.

Methods: A survey comprising 27 questions across three sections-demographic information, practical application, and knowledge-approach-awareness inquiries-was developed. It was distributed to 282 students either in person or via a link shared through WhatsApp groups using Google Forms.

Results: Out of the total 219 respondents (77.6%), 10.6% experienced instrument breakage once during their clinical internship, while 2.8% encountered it more than once. The majority (86.7%) did not face instrument fracture incidents. Among these occurrences, it was observed that endodontic instruments were most commonly separated in molars, accounting for 51.9%. Nearly half (48.1%) of the students noted instrument breakage during the initial attempt to reach the apical part of the canal, while 55.6% reported breakage during root canal cleaning and shaping.

Conclusions: Most dental students opted to leave the separated instrument in the root canal and proceed with filling it. Enhancing students' understanding and awareness of this matter will help prevent potential complications and enable them to handle such situations appropriately when they arise.