Preference and Perception of Pediatric Dentists about Usage of Hand and Rotary Endodontic Files for Treatment of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: In the recent past, rotary files have been introduced for endodontic treatment of primary teeth. However, there is limited literature available which cite the preference of pediatric dentist toward the usage of the rotary and hand endodontic files. Aims and objectives: To assess the preference and perception of pediatric dentists about hand and rotary endodontic files. Materials and methods: A study tool comprising of 21 point questionnaire about pediatric dentist’s preference of endodontic files and their perception about clinical effectiveness, advantages, and limitations of the files was administered to 202 pediatric dentists practicing in a metro city. The response was statistically analyzed. Results: 39.7% preferred to use both files, 34.5% preferred to use hand files, and 25.9% preferred rotary files. A respondent felt rotary files are a better option for pulp removal (37.9%) and uniform root canal preparation (70.7%). However, in patients with limited cooperation hand files (62.1%) are preferred. Conclusion: Pediatric dentists preferred to use both hand and rotary files depending upon the clinical situation. Rotary files were perceived to be more clinically effective and hand files were preferred in a patient with limited cooperation.