Single visit endodontics resulted in less pain than multiple visits

Abstract

Objective To determine whether there is any significant difference in the incidence of post-obturation pain after single-and multiple-visit root canal treatment. Design A randomised controlled trial in a hospital setting. Intervention Three hundred consecutive patients receiving root canal treatment were assigned randomly into either single- or multiple-visit groups. The canals of all teeth were prepared and filled by a single operator using the step-back and lateral condensation techniques. Outcome measures The frequency of post-obturation pain was recorded and evaluated over 30 days. The data were analysed statistically to determine the relationship, if any, between the pain experienced and pulpal vitality, tooth type, pre-operative pain, and the sex and age of the patient. Results Nine patients were excluded, as they failed to attend for reviews. A significantly higher incidence (P<0.01) of post-obturation pain was found in the multiple-visit group (38%) than in the single-visit group (27%) within 24 h of obturation. No significant correlation was found between post-obturation pain and any other factor, with the exception that teeth which had non-vital pulp before treatment were associated with a significantly greater (P<0.005) incidence of post-obturation pain. Conclusions Pain was significantly higher in the multiple-visit RCT group and significantly associated with the treatment of the non-vital pulp.