SURVEY OF THE USAGE OF ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS

Aim: The aim of this study isto explore the opinions and practices of dentists in Bulgaria regarding the use of machine-driven instruments in root canal treatment.

Materials and methods: An original questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was developed and distributed at congresses, seminars, and through Microsoft Forms to dentists in Bulgaria regarding their knowledge and use of Ni-Ti machine-driven instruments.

Results: A survey was conducted among 213 dentists, comprising both socio-demographic and clinical practice-focused questions.Most participants were between 25 and 45 years old, with 58.6% being female. While 69.5% of clinicians adopted a hybrid approach combining manual and power-driven instruments for glide path creation, 48.4% used fully machine-driven instruments for root canal negotiation. The Gold alloys system emerged as the most commonly used, both individually and in combination, while newer-generation systems with advanced metallurgical properties were less frequently utilized.

Conclusion:Despite the recognized advantages of machine-driven instruments, clinicians predominantly relied on older technologies, highlighting gaps in familiarity with modern innovations. The findings underscore the need for further education and training to enhance the adoption of advanced systems, which offer improved efficiency and outcomes in endodontic practice.