Knowledge & Attitude Towards Management of Gingival Recession Among Dental Professionals – A Questionnaire Survey

Nivethitha K; Avaneendra Talwar; Amitha Ramesh; Biju Thomas

doi:10.36437/ijdrd.2021.3.1.I

Nivethitha K Post Graduate Student, Department of Periodontics, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
Avaneendra Talwar Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
Amitha Ramesh Professor, Department of Periodontics, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
Biju Thomas Professor & H.O.D, Department of Periodontics, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36437/ijdrd.2021.3.1.I

Keywords: Gingival Recession, Perio plastic surgeries, Cairo’s Classification, Dental esthetics.

Abstract

Background: Receding gums, the conundrum among practitioners due to its numerous etiologies and various treatment modalities is found to be an alarming framework in the field of Periodontics. The decision to treat gingival recession is purely influenced by the judgment of the treating, referring dentists, and periodontists.

Aims & Objectives: Currently, there is limited data regarding the approach of an Indian dentist towards the treatment of the gingival recession and their referral to periodontists. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge on diagnosis, treatment strategies, opinions, and interests among the dental professionals with regard to gingival recession.

Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted among 117 dental professionals including interns and postgraduates of various specialties with an age group of 18-30years. This self-prepared questionnaire-based survey was carried out at Mangalore, Karnataka for a period of 2 months.

Results: The study shows 33.3% of the participants (periodontists) were well aware of Cairo’s classification of gingival recession and 66.7% did not have any idea.32.5% mentioned malpositioning of teeth to be the primary cause for gingival recession. Regarding the general indication for root coverage procedures, periodontists (58.8%) and non-periodontists (41.1%) answered prevention of further progression of the gingival disease (43.6%) to be the most common reason.

Conclusion: Through our observations made in the present study, we would like to conclude that due to the lack of awareness, knowledge, and professional incompetency, many dentists neglect these perioplastic procedures in their routine practice.