Current Trends in Use and Reuse of Nickel-Titanium Engine-driven Instruments: A Survey of Endodontists in the United States

摘要

Introduction: Information is scarce regarding current usage practices of nickel-titanium (NiTi) engine-driven instruments in clinical practice. Therefore, the specific purpose of this survey was to assess trends among endodontists regarding the use and reuse of NiTi instruments. Methods: A 16-question survey was sent by e-mail to about 4000 active members of the American Association of Endodontists. Data were collected over a 6-month period and compared using chi-square tests. Results: A total of 957 surveys were collected (response rate = 23%). Of the respondents, 40.2% worked in solo practices; among them, there were significantly fewer recent graduates (<10 years) compared with those who graduated more than 10 years ago. Furthermore, 41.7% were in a group practice, 4.3% in corporate practice, 10.7% in university settings, and 3% in the military. Overall, 98.3% of respondents reported using NiTi instruments. Respondents who graduated less than 25 years ago use NiTi instruments significantly more (99%) than those who graduated more than 25 years ago (92.6%). Although 22.9% of respondents buy presterilized instruments, 41.6% sterilize them before use, and 35.5% do not sterilize new instruments before use; dental officers in the military reported that they use sterile new instruments in 100% of cases. NiTi instruments were reused by 74% of respondents. The 2 largest segments of the specialist endodontic instrument market belonged to Dentsply (York, PA; 56.9%) and EdgeEndo (Albuquerque, NM; 28.8%). Conclusions: There are significant differences in the use of NiTi instruments among types of practice and years since graduation. There were noticeable changes compared with findings reported about 10 years ago.