2022 Volume 2
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Saudi Dentists’ Knowledge and Approaches to Managing Tooth Wear: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Analysis


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  1. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, KAHER's KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Constituent Unit of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Nehru Nahar, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
Abstract

Unlike caries, which have been shown to affect both the surface and subsurface layers, dental erosion is primarily considered a surface phenomenon. Tooth erosion occurs in acidic conditions; however, no universally established pH threshold has been identified for its onset. This study investigated the awareness and clinical approaches of Saudi dental professionals regarding the management of tooth-wear. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey targeting Saudi dental professionals. A total of 500 dentists from different regions of Saudi Arabia participated. The majority of respondents were male, accounting for 60.1% of the sample. Furthermore, 72.3% of the participants were general practitioners with limited experience. Among the surveyed dentists, 74.7% routinely examined and documented cases of tooth wear. Almost half of them routinely investigated its underlying cause, with Bruxism being the most commonly identified factor. While most practitioners occasionally assessed patients’ dietary habits, 52.6% did not associate caries with tooth-wear. Treatment strategies typically involved restoring affected areas, including the maxillary anterior, premolars, and second molars, using inlays, onlays, or root canal therapy. In addition, 62.1% of respondents expressed a need for more education on managing tooth-wear. Findings showed that dentists demonstrated moderate confidence in diagnosing and identifying the causes of tooth wear, with minimal differences between genders. However, specialists and those with more experience demonstrated higher confidence in both diagnosis and treatment. Bruxism remained the most commonly cited cause, while composite restorations and onlays were the preferred treatment options.


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Volume 5 - 2025