Purpose:
Purpose-assess whether maintaining apical patency might influence the incidence, degree, or duration of post op pain considering the tooths preop diagnosis and its location.
Materials/Methods:
-300 (n=236 responded for survey) NSRCT’s were performed by 1 clinician in single visit. Following WL determination with EAL, canals were cleaned and shaped.
-Recorded pulp vitality, presence/absence of preop pain, location of tooth
Group 1: patency maintained throughout w/ #10 k-file 1mm beyond apex.
Group 2: Following WL establishment all efforts made to avoid surpassing WL at all times throughout procedure.
Results:
- In non-vital teeth less post-operative pain was observed in patency group (stat. sig)
- If pre-op pain present – post-op pain was more significant in patency group.
- In lower teeth – post-op pain was significantly longer in patency group.
Clinical Significance:
Maintaining patency in non-vital should not increase post op pain as long as file used is small. Maintaining patency throughout procedure in teeth with preop pain & mandibular teeth may increase post op pain.