Assessment of post-operative pain with use of rotary and conventional root canal instruments in single and multiple visit root canal treatment

Aim: To compare the post-operative pain after the use of rotary and conventional root canal instruments in single and multiple visit root canal treatment Materials and Method: 168 patients requiring Root Canal Treatment [RCT] in maxillary and mandibular 1st molar were involved in the study. On the basis of vitality and radiographic features two groups were made, multiple visit (Group A n=72), single visit (Group B n=96). Then the patients were randomly divided into 4 subgroups. Subgroup I n=36 (multiple visit conventional RCT), Subgroup II n=36 (multiple visit rotary RCT), Subgroup III n=48 (single visit Conventional RCT) and Subgroup IV n=48 (single visit rotary RCT). In subgroup I & Subgroup III Canal preparation was done with stainless steel K files in step back manner. In subgroup II & Subgroup IV, rotary Protaper Next was used. Irrigation was done with 3 % NaOCl and Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) alternatively followed by obturation. The postobturation pain was recorded at 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, 1 week using visual analogue scale. Statistical Analysis was done using Tukey HSD Post Hoc Test and ANOVA Test. Results: Within 24 hours there was statistically significant difference between the groups (p< 0.05) but after 7 days no statistically significant difference was there (p>0.05). Conclusion: Patients in the groups either in single and multiple visit experience less postobturation pain if the canal preparation was done with the rotary files at all the time intervals (6hrs, 12hrs, 24hrs ) but after 7 days no statistical difference was found.

Reducing Intervention in the COVID-19 Era: Opportunities for Vital Pulp Treatment

Over the last 12 months, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) virus has emerged as a significant global health problem with extensive repercussions for the practise of dentistry. As the principle transmission-route is via droplet-spread, aerosol-generating dental procedures (AGPs) present an exquisite challenge, which either has to be avoided or performed using strict infection-control measures, which increase the deployment of resources and cost. This new working environment necessitates the adoption of simplified, yet effective procedures that reduce intervention and minimise clinical chair time to short, single visits. Vital pulp treatment (VPT) has emerged as an attractive, technically less-complicated group of biologically-based management strategies that are aimed at maintaining pulp vitality and avoiding root canal treatment (RCT). These procedures are carried out in a strict aseptic environment using a rubber dam and have a reported high success rate, suggesting that they could be considered as effective and simple alternative therapies to relieve pain and avoid multiple visit RCT and other endodontic procedures. The relevance of promoting a simple, predictable and effective alternative to traditional, more complex dentistry has never been more compelling. In this perspective article, the latest advances in VPT are highlighted, along with an analysis of their relative success and compelling reasons why we as dentists should be adopting these treatment approaches. Thereafter, case selection, prognostic factors, techniques, limitations and future prospects of these procedures are discussed.

The Comparison of Short-Term Postoperative Pain in Single- versus Multiple-Visit Root Canal Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

Postoperative pain after root canal therapy (RoCT) is an unpleasant experience for patients, and it could be affected by different factors. The times of visits could be one of these factors that were evaluated in various studies. However, there is inconsistent evidence on the relation between postoperative pain and the times of visits. Therefore, the current systematic review aimed to summarize the results of these studies and meta-analyze them. For this purpose, a comprehensive search was conducted in four main databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases) for related English articles from 1978 to August 2020. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Delphi checklist. The heterogeneity of studies was determined by I2 statistic, and publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot and the Begg test. The results were presented by using relative ratio (RR) estimates and standard mean difference (SMD) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Initial searches from mentioned databases identified 1480 papers; of which only 27 of them met the inclusion criteria. In quality assessment, thirteen studies had quality scores of more than 7, two studies had 4 scores, and the rest had 5 scores. Overall, based on the available evidence, the meta-analysis showed that the risk of postoperative pain in single-visit was 1.02 times (CI 95% (0.99, 1.19), I2 = 60.7%, p = 0.001 ) higher than that of the multiple-visit treatment. The mean difference of postoperative pain in single-visit was −0.30 (CI 95% (−0.36, −0.25), I2 = 0.94.4, p = 0.001 ) compared with the multiple-visit treatment. Based on the results of this meta-analysis, the risk of postoperative pain in single-visit RoCT was higher than that in multiple-visit RoCT with acceptable statistical heterogeneity and moderate quality of the studies.

The Incidence and Intensity of Postendodontic Pain and Flareup in Single and Multiple Visit Root Canal Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To assess the incidence and intensity of postendodontic pain and flareup in single and multiple visit root canal treatment (RCT) and determine if the difference between the two is significant, a search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of science was conducted. The grey literature was searched using Google Scholar and Saudi digital library. Randomised controlled trials evaluating the incidence and intensity of postendodontic pain and flareup published in English from 1 January 2000 to 15 April 2020 were searched. The PRISMA protocol was followed to select the articles. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the data in the included studies. Twenty-one articles were included in the review. Three compared both the incidence and the intensity, while the rest compared either one of the parameters. Most studies used both hand-driven and rotary instruments and irrigated with sodium hypochlorite. Twelve studies used an intracanal medicament. Although individual studies showed discordant treatment outcomes, the meta-analysis did not reveal any significant difference in the incidence or the intensity of the postendodontic flareup between the single and multiple visit RCT groups. Single or a multiple visit root canal treatment is not an independent determinant for the risk of postendodontic pain or a flareup.

Effect of three Mechanical Systems on Removal of Endotoxins from Asymptomatic Necrotic teeth with apical Periodontitis. (A randomized clinical trial)

Objective: The present study's objective was to evaluate the percentage of endotoxin diminution after mechanical instrumentation of asymptomatic necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis using three mechanical systems. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty patients between 18 and 65 participated in this research. Thirty-five of 140 teeth were selected for the four enlargement techniques. Control group, TFA, WOG, and PTN groups received final flushing with 6oC 17% EDTA solution gently administered to the WL through a cold (6oC) sterile metallic micro-cannula attached to the Endovac system (Kerr Endo) for one minute. Two samples of the canal were obtained using a sterile paper cone (size 30) introduced into the canal´s full length. Results: Results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the percentage reduction of endotoxin levels (P-value <0.001, Effect size = 0.598). Group PTN showed a statistically significantly lower median % reduction in endotoxin quantities than Group WOG and TFA. Conclusion: Under this study's conditions, it can be concluded that the PTN system was more effective in endotoxins reduction in teeth with necrotic pulps. When the RCT is correctly instrumented, single visit RCT can be as effective as a multiple visit treatment.

Anterior teeth rehabilitation with direct resin composite veneer using multiple layering technique: A case report

Cosmetic veneer has become a popular option for patients seeking to improve aesthetic in their smile. The procedure can be done through a direct or indirect technique which differs in term of material used and laboratory involvement. Despite producing a better aesthetic result than its direct technique counterpart, high-cost treatment, multiple visit requirement and invasive nature of tooth preparation are proven to be a stumbling block to the patient in some cases to choose indirect technique. Therefore, direct composite veneer technique can be offered due to its low costing and conservative concept which advocates more tooth structure preservation. This case report is about direct composite veneer for anterior teeth rehabilitation and its simple and conservative protocol.