title: Prostaglandin E2 in apical tissue fluid and postoperative pain in intact and teeth with large restorations in two endodontic treatment visits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute periapical inflammation is the most common cause of postoperative pain developing as a result of mechanical, chemical and/or microbial injury of periapical tissue. The major inflammatory event responsible for periapical pain is increased vasodilatation and vascular permeability, partly caused by prostaglandin E2, with consequent edema, which leads to the compression of nerve fibers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of prostaglandin E2 in apical tissue fluid after endodontic treatment of intact and teeth with large restorations and to compare it with the occurrence and intensity of postoperative pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-rooted teeth of 24 patients, selected for this study, were distributed into two groups: intact (group 1, n = 27) and asymptomatic teeth with large restorations (group 2, n = 20). Clinical examination of the involved teeth included the electric pulp test, recording pain on percussion, spontaneous pain, and a radiographic examination. Samples of apical tissues fluid were obtained from root canals at two treatment visits, and prostaglandin E2 concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. Pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prostaglandin E2 concentrations at the second visit, in teeth with large restorations, was significantly higher (36%) than at the first treatment visit (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.05). Occurrence and intensity of spontaneous pain after the first visit were significantly higher in group 2 (p < 0.05) than in group 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the increased prostaglandin E2 concentration, caused by endodontic treatment of teeth with large restorations, is well correlated with the intensity of postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Odontology and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. djuricag@eunet.rs
authors.forename: Djurica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grga
authors.forename: Bojan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dzeletović
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damjanov
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hajduković-Dragojlović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010486:Periapical Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy
chemical_list: D015232:Dinoprostone