Knowledge of dental surgeons in the Bamako District regarding the production of fixed prostheses, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Masticatory dysfunction caused by missing teeth impacts not only general health but also oral quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of dentists in the Bamako District regarding the production of fixed prostheses. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from August 4, 2023 to October 4, 2023. We included dentists in the Bamako District. The questionnaire was anonymous, and the data collected was confidential. Data correction and analysis were performed using SPSS version 26. Results: Males were the most common gender, with 78% of cases, with a sex ratio of 3.5%. The 25-35 age group was the most common, with 71.7%. All dental surgeons interviewed claimed to have knowledge of fixed prosthesis. Around 76.1% performed single-unit and multiple-unit fixed prostheses. This was followed by those who performed only single-unit fixed prostheses, with 15.2%. Among the crowns and prosthetic parts performed, ceramic-on-ceramic crowns, ceramic-on-metal crowns, and crowns with vestibular inlays were the most common, with 45.7%. For 26.1% of participants, the choice of anchors was based on tooth anatomy, morphology, group and pulp vitality. Alginate was the most used impression material for 67.4% of practitioners. Conclusion: This study shows that dentists need continuing education, especially in fixed prosthetics. It turned out that they were not at the same level of information, and that the majority presented insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the latter.