SIGNIFICANCE OF STERILIZATION DURING OBTURATION IN ENDODONTIC PRACTICE: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Madhu Singh*, Dr. Abhishek Sharma, Dr. Ajay Nagpal, Dr. Sunil Kumar, Dr. Muhammad Mutiur Rahman, Dr. Anuja Agrawal

ABSTRACT

Objective: Sterilization is the key factor for successful endodontic therapy. Obturation is one of the determinant step for better results after root canal treatment. The objective of this study is to assess the significance of sterilization during obturation in endodontic practice. A cross- sectional, online based survey was conducted on voluntary participants. Distribution of self-structured questionnaire was done through snowball sampling technique. Chi square test was used to analyze the data. The survey results showed that out of 134 subjects, 24.6% (<0.001) use rubberdam while obturation, 25.4% (<0.001) differentiate between false and true tug back, 55.2% (<0.001) disinfect the heating unit using alcohol and 41.0% (<0.001) disinfect the pulp chamber using ethanol after obturation. Conclusion: The present study showed that subjects were aware about importance of sterilization during obturation. Majority of the subjects are following sterilization protocols while performing root canal treatment.

Keywords: Sterilization, Rubberdam, Gutta percha, Disinfection, Obturation.