Abstract
Postoperative pain is a frequent complication associated with
root canal treatment, especially during apical
instrumentation of
tooth with preexisting periradicular
inflammation Objectives The aim of this
clinical study was to evaluate the influence of the
instrumentation techniques on the
incidence and intensity of
postoperative pain in single-visit
root canal treatment. Material and
Methods Ninety
patients with single root/canal and non-vital pulps were included. The
patients were assigned into 3 groups according to
root canal instrumentation technique used; modified step-
back, reciprocal, and rotational
techniques.
Root canal treatment was carried out in a single visit and the severity of
postoperative pain was assessed via 4-point
pain intensity scale. All the participants were called through the phone at 12, 24 and 48 h to obtain the
pain scores. Data were analyzed through the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results There was significant difference between all groups (p<0.05). The modified step-
back technique produced
postoperative pain significantly lower than the rotational (p=0.018) and reciprocal (p=0.020)
techniques. No difference was found between the reciprocal and rotational
techniques (p=0.868).
Postoperative pain in the first 12 h period (p=0.763) and in the 24 h period (p=0.147) was not significantly different between the groups. However, the difference in the 48 h period was statistically different between the groups (p=0.040). Conclusion All
instrumentation techniques caused
postoperative pain. The modified step-
back technique produced less
pain compared to the rotational and reciprocal
techniques.