CLINICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DENTISTS’ TREATMENT DECISIONS BETWEEN DIRECT RESTORATIONS AND CROWNS
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Keywords
Crowns, Direct restorations, Restorative dentistry
Abstract
The decision to restore a tooth using a direct restoration or a full-coverage crown represents a critical aspect of restorative and prosthodontic practice. This decision is influenced by multiple clinical, biological, mechanical, and patient-related factors. Inconsistent decision-making may result in overtreatment, undertreatment, compromised longevity, and increased financial burden.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical factors influencing dentists’ treatment decisions between direct restorations and crowns.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among practicing dentists. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, clinical experience, and decision-making criteria related to tooth structure loss, caries extent, endodontic status, occlusal considerations, esthetic demands, and patient-related factors. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were performed to identify significant associations.
Results: The most influential factors guiding treatment selection were the extent of remaining tooth structure, presence of endodontic treatment, occlusal load, and cusp involvement. Dentists with greater clinical experience showed a higher tendency toward conservative management, favoring direct restorations in borderline cases. Esthetic expectations and patient affordability also significantly affected treatment decisions.
Conclusion: Dentists’ restorative choices are multifactorial and extend beyond purely clinical indicators. Standardized decision-making guidelines emphasizing minimally invasive dentistry may improve consistency and clinical outcomes.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Aamir Syed
Assistant Professor Prosthodontics, Abbottabad International Medical Institute, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Jamshed Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Paediatric Dentistry Department, Sindh Institute of Oral Health Sciences
Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Aamir Rafique
Associate Professor Prosthodontics, Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Zubair Badshah
Assistant Professor Prosthodontics, M Islam medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Farooq Taj
Assistant Professor Prosthodontics, Khyber Medical University-Institute of Dental Sciences, Kohat, Pakistan
Jai Lalita
Lecturer in Operative Dentistry Department, Hamdard University Dental Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
