Aim: To clinically evaluate the effect of different irrigation activation techniques (needle irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and EndoVac) on post-operative pain after single-visit endodontic treatment.
Materials and methods: Thirty patients aged between 16 and 40 years requiring endodontic therapy of asymptomatic vital/non vital maxillary central or canine teeth were selected for this study. In all cases, root canal treatment was done is single-visit in which root canals were prepared using nickel-titanium ProTaper Universal rotary system in crown down manner up to master apical file size F4 or F5 according to the initial apical canal size. Irrigation was done using 2.5% NaOCl. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups according to the final irrigation activation method, group 1 (control group) needle irrigation, group 2 PUI and group 3 EndoVac system. Obturation was done using cold lateral compaction technique. Post-operative pain was assessed after 6, 12, 24, 48 hours, one week and two weeks respectively. Post-operative pain evaluation was done using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Results: EndoVac group showed the least post-operative pain values while needle irrigation group showed the highest values. This was statistically significant at 6 and 48 hours time intervals. PUI group showed lower pain values than needle group and this was significant at 48 hours time interval. In all groups the intensity of post-operative pain decreased over time.
Conclusion: EndoVac system and PUI reduce post-operative pain after single-visit endodontic treatment than needle irrigation in the first 48 hours.