Comparison of Postoperative Pain after Root Canal Shaping with Two Rotary Systems: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

This parallel, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the intensity and incidence of postoperative pain after single visit endodontic treatment using either manual or rotary ProTaper files for instrumentation, in which patients were equally allocated at random to receive one of the two procedures. Fifty patients with vital mandibular first molars were endodontically treated in a single visit. The patients were divided into two groups, A and B each consisted of 25 patients. Instrumentation was done using either MPro rotary files for group A or EdgeEndo X3 rotary files for group B. Irrigation was done using 2.6% NaOCl and 17% EDTA, finally the canals were flushed with distilled water. Postoperative pain was assessed using a modified Numerical

Rating Scale (NRS) preoperatively then 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 7 days postoperatively. All demographic data, clinical and radiographic findings and

NRS scores obtained from the patients were statistically analyzed.

Results showed no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of preoperative pain, preoperative signs and symptoms, age, gender and periapical condition between the two groups. When comparing the median of NRS scores in the two

groups, there was no statistically significant difference at all time

periods between the two groups. In both groups pain levels declined gradually with time. Also there was no significant difference in medication intake between the two groups.

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that:

1- Post operative pain levels were not different after instrumentation with MPro and EdgeEndo X3 files. 2- Postoperative pain levels decreased significantly after 24 hours of treatment.

Recommendations:

1- Further studies with different pulpal and periapical status should be done.

2- Studies for periapical debris extrusion of both systems should be done.