Patient discomfort following periapical surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess patient discomfort following periapical surgery.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with apical periodontitis were allocated to apicectomy with either smoothening of the gutta-percha root filling or a retrograde root filling with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).


RESULTS
Pooling all patients, VAS score for pain peaked 3 hours postoperatively (mean VAS = 29). The VAS score for swelling peaked 1 day postoperatively (mean VAS = 41). Patients' overall perception of postoperative discomfort was induced by (questions asked at the day for suture removal): Oral awareness (36 yes, 6 no); swelling (30 yes, 12 no); compromised chewing ability (18 yes, 24 no); pain (15 yes, 27 no). There was no correlation between the operating time and VAS scores for pain and swelling (r < or = .25, P > .11).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients experienced little pain and moderate swelling after periapical surgery. Oral awareness was the most reported reason for postoperative discomfort. The operating time was not a decisive factor in relation to postoperative discomfort.
Christiansen
René
R
Department of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. RChristiansen@odont.au.dk
Kirkevang
Lise-Lotte
LL
Hørsted-Bindslev
Preben
P
Wenzel
Ann
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000601:surgery*; D012184:Retrograde Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; D006171:Gutta-Percha