Toward esthetically and biomechanically reliable anterior resin composite restorations: current clinical experiences among dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Objective: Esthetic anterior composite restoration is very challenging; a cross-sectional survey study was performed to determine the awareness of general dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia about resin composite restorations in anterior teeth and to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve their practice. Methods: 500 dental practitioners from different provinces in Saudi Arabia were invited to participate in an online questionnaire which comprised four domains and included a total of sixteen questions addressing aspects regarding the selection of resin composites, cavity configuration, etching protocol, light-curing technique, liner application, application of poly-chromatic composite, as well as finishing and polishing procedures. Chi square testing and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the attained data. Results: Along the250 respondence, the greatest participation was from the Eastern and Middle provinces of Saudi Arabia. Female dentists participated less than males. There was no general agreement between participants regarding the resin composite material or the employed technique of application in restoring anterior tooth defects. Respondents indicated that discoloration and hypersensitivity were the most common reasons for patient’s dissatisfaction with resin composites in anterior teeth. Conclusion: Dental practitioners are highly encouraged to improve their clinical practice of restoring anterior teeth using resin composites with focus over continuous education programs, online webinars, and workshops.