Postoperative pain after endodontic retreatment: single- versus two-visit treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the effect of 1- or 2-visit root canal treatment on the postoperative pain in the retreatment cases.


METHODS
Two hundred eighteen cases that required retreatment were included in the study. Obturated and unfilled canal space and the status of periapical tissues were evaluated according to the PAI index. The patients were subcategorized in regard to the presence or the absence of preoperative pain. Approximately half of each category was treated in 1 appointment. After removing the previous root canal obturation materials and biomechanic preparation of root canals, the teeth in the 1-visit group were obturated at the first appointment by using AH 26 sealer and laterally compacted gutta-percha, and those in the 2-visit group were medicated with calcium hydroxide-chlorhexidine combination and then closed with a temporary filling material. One week after the initial appointment, patients were asked about the occurrence of postoperative pain. The level of discomfort was rated as no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, or severe pain (flare-up). Data were statistically analyzed using the chi-squared and Fischer exact tests.


RESULTS
Eight patients from the 1-visit group and 2 patients from the 2-visit group had flare-ups. There was a statistical difference between the groups (P <.05). Two-visit root canal treatment was more effective in completely eliminating pain than 1-visit treatment of previously symptomatic teeth (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Two-visit endodontic treatment with intracanal medication was found to be effective in reducing postoperative pain of previously symptomatic teeth and decreased the number of flare-ups in all retreatment cases.
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, University of Cukurova Faculty of Dentistry, Adana, Turkey. oguzyoldas@cu.edu.tr
Oguz
O
Yoldas
Aysin
A
Topuz
A Sehnaz
AS
Isçi
Haluk
H
Oztunc
D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019233:Retreatment / Q000379:methods; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012834:Silver / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012834:Silver; C028044:epoxy resin AH-26; D014025:Titanium; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D001729:Bismuth