Abstract :
Background : Glass-ionomer cements (GICs) are biomaterial compounds of basic glasses and an acid polymer with a setting reaction of acid-base type. They are booming these decades due to the improvement in their properties and the development of minima dentistry.
Aim: The present study aims at assessing the awareness, aptitudes and practices of dental surgeons in Abidjan with regard to the use of glass ionomer cements.
Methods and Materials : A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire to 102 dental surgeons in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire).
Results: This study has shown that 100% of the surveyed practitioners were trained to use the glass ionomer cements restorations at the university, but 19.61% did not realize it. For 22.55%, GIC restorations concern only primary teeth while 55.88% concluded that they concern both primary and permanent teeth. Finally, for 1,96%, GIC concern solely permanent teeth. In their daily practice, 14.71% of practitioners had made GCI their preferred material in restorative therapeutics.
Conclusions: A better indication accuracy of those materials and practitioners’ motivation is needed with the view of increasing their use.
Keyword :
Abidjan, Glassionomer cements, Restorative dentistry.