Longevity and Success of Restorative Treatments: Knowledge of Dentists and Laypeople.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge of dentists and laypeople regarding the longevity and success rate of various restorative treatments in dentistry.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. In phase 1, a guided interview assessing the longevity of various restorative treatments (including direct composite resin, ceramic veneers, indirect restorations, success of root canal treatments, and implant-supported prosthesis) was administered to 20 dental surgeons. Based on the analysis of the responses from phase 1, an objective questionnaire was developed and applied online to a convenience sample of dentists and laypeople. A descriptive analysis of the responses was performed, and the data were compared with the existing literature. Additionally, the association between the characteristics of the dentists and their responses was examined.
RESULTS: Phase 1 revealed considerable disparity in the longevity values reported by professionals for the same treatments. This heterogeneity of responses was instrumental in formulating the answer choices for the objective questionnaire used in the next phase. In Phase 2, 212 dentists and 398 laypeople responded to the survey. Of the laypeople, 68.6% visited the dentist in the past year, and 11.1% based their responses on dentist guidance. At least 11.3% of professionals couldn't identify the best option for describing treatment success or longevity, and responses varied greatly. The percentage of responses aligned with reference literature were: 43.4% for the longevity of composite resin restorations, 60.8% for ceramic veneers, 62.3% for indirect restorations in posterior teeth, 67.9% for successful root canal treatments, and 53.3% for implant-supported prostheses.
CONCLUSION: There is variability in the responses, with a significant portion of dentists demonstrating difficulty in providing accurate answers on the topic, while a considerable proportion of laypeople expect dental procedures to last a lifetime.