A Clinical Evaluation Of Post Operative Pain With And Without Maintenance Of Apical Patency

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess whether maintenance of apical patency during instrumentation lead to altered postoperative pain in single visit root canal treatment as compared to non maintenance of apical patency.
Methods: A total of sixty patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in vital permanent mandibular molars were selected to be included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A where apical patency was maintained and Group B where it was not maintained. The root canal procedures for the patients were carried out in single sittings under rubber dam using E3 Azure (Endostar, Poland) rotary system, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite as irrigant alternating with saline and obturation by lateral compaction technique. A questionnaire employing visual analogue scale for pain assessment was given to the patient and instructions on how to fill the form were given. The patients were recalled after 7 days, and the pain was analysed. The result was tabulated and statistically analysed.
Results: There was no statistical difference in the post operative pain between the groups where apical patency was maintained vs where apical patency was not maintained.
Conclusion: Based on our findings and in comparison with those of other studies, we conclude that there is no difference in post-operative pain when there is maintenance of apical patency versus non maintenance of apical patency in permanent mandibular molars with vital pulps treated with single sitting root canals.