Comparison of quality of life after surgical endodontic treatment using two techniques: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to compare patient experience of quality of life following surgical endodontic treatment using 2 different techniques: a technique that included the use of a dental operating microscope, root resection with minimal bevel and retrograde preparation with ultrasonic tips, and a traditional technique that included root resection with a 45 degrees bevel and retrograde preparation by bur performed without magnification.


METHODS
The study consisted of 66 patients referred for surgical endodontic treatment. One operator (I.T.) carried out all treatment. An equal number of patients were assigned to each group. Group 1 was treated by the traditional technique without an operating microscope and Group 2 by a technique using an operating microscope and minimal osteotomy. All patients were given a questionnaire with 15 questions to evaluate their quality of life for 7 days postsurgery.


RESULTS
On day 5, patients in Group 1 reported significantly more pain and took significantly more analgesics (P < .05). On days 1 and 2, patients in Group 2 reported significantly more difficulty in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients in both groups reported a high incidence of symptoms. The technique using the operating microscope provided significantly less postoperative pain, but more difficulties in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak immediately postoperatively.
Tsesis
Igor
I
Department of Endodontology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Shoshani
Yitzhak
Y
Givol
Navot
N
Yahalom
Ran
R
Fuss
Zvi
Z
Taicher
Shlomo
S
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012184:Retrograde Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D013060:Speech; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation