Main Article Content
A Survey of Preoperative Radiological Investigation Among Dental Professionals carrying out Impacted Lower third Molar Surgery in Eastern Nigeria
Abstract
This survey was carried out to assess the attitude and the effect of utilization of preoperative radiological investigations in the management of impacted mandibular third molars among Dental professional in
Eastern Nigeria. Questionnaires on preoperative radiological investigations
were given to 56 Dental practitioners. Fortyeight were returned anonymously representing 85.7% response rate, which were used in our data analysis. Twenty-nine (60.4%) respondents do not bother about
radiological investigation before surgical procedure while 19 (:39.6%) insisted on preoperative radiological investigations before surgery. Out ofthese 19 respondents, all recommend periapical x-ray while 5
(26.3%) had a cause to recommend .oblique lateral of the jaw at one time or the other. None of the respondents had used orthopanthomogram for preoperative radiological evaluation. Eight (42.1%) take and develop their periapical radiograph. Two respondents (10.5%) take their radiograph and send them out for development while 9 (48.3%) always send their patients outside for radiological investigation. Postoperative complication was low (15.7 %) among surgeons who utilize preoperative radiological investigations. Considering surgical difficulty, itwas observed that difficult index scores were high among the 29 respondents that do not use preoperative radiological investigation. This study has identified preoperative radiological evaluation as a veritable instrument for effective and easy surgical management of impacted mandibular third molars.
Eastern Nigeria. Questionnaires on preoperative radiological investigations
were given to 56 Dental practitioners. Fortyeight were returned anonymously representing 85.7% response rate, which were used in our data analysis. Twenty-nine (60.4%) respondents do not bother about
radiological investigation before surgical procedure while 19 (:39.6%) insisted on preoperative radiological investigations before surgery. Out ofthese 19 respondents, all recommend periapical x-ray while 5
(26.3%) had a cause to recommend .oblique lateral of the jaw at one time or the other. None of the respondents had used orthopanthomogram for preoperative radiological evaluation. Eight (42.1%) take and develop their periapical radiograph. Two respondents (10.5%) take their radiograph and send them out for development while 9 (48.3%) always send their patients outside for radiological investigation. Postoperative complication was low (15.7 %) among surgeons who utilize preoperative radiological investigations. Considering surgical difficulty, itwas observed that difficult index scores were high among the 29 respondents that do not use preoperative radiological investigation. This study has identified preoperative radiological evaluation as a veritable instrument for effective and easy surgical management of impacted mandibular third molars.
