KUMJ | VOL. 16 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 62 | APRIL-JUNE 2018
Post-Operative Pain and Associated Factors in Patients Undergoing Single Visit Root Canal Treatment on Teeth with Vital Pulp
Shresha R, Shrestha D, Kayastha R
Abstract: Background
Pain after root canal therapy is unwanted yet common experience for the patient and
unpleasant for the dentist so it is always desirable to predict such pain.
Objective
To evaluate the frequency, intensity and associated factors of post-operative pain
after single visit endodontic therapy on teeth with vital pulps.
Method
A total of 418 single visit root canal treatments were performed on patients of
age 18 years and above by two endodontists. Canals were shaped with rotary ProTaper
files. After the canal preparation, the canals were obturated, using lateral
compaction technique, with ProTaper universal gutta-percha and AH-Plus sealer.
Independent factors were recorded during the treatment and characteristics of postoperative
pain were later surveyed through questionnaires. The severity of pain
was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0-5. The data were analyzed using
logistic regression models.
Result
The prevalence of post-operative pain within first six hours after treatment was high
(79.2%) which decreased to 22% at the end of 72 hours however majority (70%)
of the patients had mild to moderate pain (VAS 1-2). The factors that significantly
influenced post-obturation pain experience were: gender (OR=0.55, 95%CI=0.320.93;
p=0.03), tooth type (OR-0.67; 95% CI=10.56-0.81, p=0.00), history of preoperative
pain
(OR=1.26;
95%
CI=
1.04-1.51;
p=0.02)
and
number
of
canals
(OR=2.03;
95%
CI=1.40-2.95; p=0.00).
Conclusion
The prevalence of some level of post -operative pain after single visit root canal
therapy was high and was significantly influenced by female gender, increased
number of canals, posterior tooth type and positive history of pre-operative pain.
Keyword : Pain, Post-operative pain, Root canal treatment, Single visit
