Purpose: (a) to investigate and compare postoperative sequelae (i.e. pain/swelling) following single-visit endodontics and multi-visit endodontic procedures and (b) to compare the healing response following single-visit vs. multi-visit tx.
N= 387 case
•Inclusion criteria for 1 visit group: (a) positive patient acceptance of the proposed single-visit procedure;
(b) sufficient treatment time available to complete procedure.
•Exclusion for 1 visit: any tooth with acute symptoms where drainage via the root canal was established, teeth with a persistent, continuous flow of exudate; and teeth which could not be completed within one visit because of anatomical difficulties or procedural difficulties.
Materials/Methods:
•All the procedures were performed by a single operator. All treatment was completed in either one or two visits.
•Canals were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl and filled with laterally condensed GP and ZOE sealer.
•Analgesics were dispensed as needed for pain consisting of aspirin alone or aspirin plus codeine, or its equivalent.
•Post-operative pain was recorded and healing was determined after a minimum of 18 months.
Most highlighted Results:
Pain:
•No statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of post-operative pain were observed between 1 and 2 visits groups in total or when subdivided into (anteriors, premolar and molars) or (vital and non-vital).
•When the canals were over-filled: a statistically significant increased pain observed in the 1 visit compared to 2 visits group.
•In the 1 visit group: a statistically significant increased pain was observed in patients younger than 39y compared to older patients.
Healing:
•No statistical differences between 1 and 2 visits groups in total and when subdivided according to tooth type or pulp status.
•In the 1 visits group: a statistically significant no. of overfilled teeth failed to heal compared to teeth filled short or to the apex.
Clinical significance:
Single visit treatment can be performed successfully with comparable post-op sequelae and healing results compared to multiple visits tx.