Knowledge and Awareness of Various Dental Biomaterials Used In Pediatric Patients - A Survey

Abstract

Restoration of decayed primary teeth is important and significant for proper maintenance of child health
and also for the development of their teeth. The materials preferred for restoration are composite, glass
ionomer, compomer, resin modified glass ionomer cement, stainless steel crown. Therefore it is important
to have knowledge about materials and its uses which makes the durability of restoration longer. The aim
of the study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of various dental biomaterials used in pediatric
patients among the undergraduate dental students. A questionnaire of 12 questions based on different dental
biomaterials used in pediatric patients was prepared and it responded by 140 students. Data was collected
and with the help of SPSS software data was analysed. Only 9% of students were aware that pit and fissure
sealants are bound to tooth surface by both chemical and mechanical bonding. Only 33% opted correctly
that stainless steel crowns are semi permanent restorations. Amalgam was the most used restorative material
in primary molar by both the male and female students. The material of choice for restoring primary molars
with proximal caries and in multi surface carious lesions is glass ionomer cement. The students considered
ease of manipulation and durability of the restorative material while selecting it for use in pediatric cases.
Within the limitations of this survey, it can be concluded that the participants have an average level of
knowledge about various dental biomaterials used in pediatric patients.