Abstract
Deep margin elevation (DME) with a direct restoration simplifies the clinical fabrication of an indirect restoration. However, there are little data on current levels of knowledge about DME in dentists practicing in Saudi Arabia. Here we investigated current knowledge among dentists about DME and its association with demographics, training, and practice setting. A survey was distributed online using Google Forms to different dental specialists practicing in academic and clinical settings in Saudi Arabia. The survey obtained demographic data and levels of knowledge about the concept of DME. Results: Eighty-five percent of respondents knew about the concept of DME, 50% used multiple sources to obtain knowledge, and 87% preferred to raise margins with adhesive restorations. Years of experience were a constant predictor of all assessed independent variables, specifically recent graduate dentists. Other significant associations had only weak predictive effects (R2 between 0.01 and 0.1). Dentists in this Saudi cohort were well informed about the concept, possibly due to an increasing clinical need for conservative management in the Saudi population. Further studies to confirm these observations are recommended.