title: Endodontic interappointment flare-ups: a prospective study of incidence and related factors.
abstract: Severe pain and/or swelling following a root canal treatment appointment are serious sequelae. Information varies or is incomplete as to the incidence of these conditions and related factors. In this study, data were collected at root canal treatment appointments on demographics, pulp/periapical diagnoses, presenting symptoms, treatment procedures, and number of appointments. Patients that then experienced a flare-up (a severe problem requiring an unscheduled visit and treatment) had the correlating factors examined. Statistical determinations were by chi-square analysis with significance at 0.05 or less. Nine hundred forty-six visits resulted in an incidence of 3.17% flare-ups. Flare-ups were positively correlated with more severe presenting symptoms, pulp necrosis with painful apical pathosis, and patients on analgesics. Fewer flare-ups occurred in undergraduate patients and following obturation procedures. There was no correlation between patient demographics or systemic conditions, number of appointments, treatment procedures, or taking antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fouad
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000150:complications; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014098:Toothache / Q000209:etiology*