EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF OCCCLUSAL RELIEF IN ENDODONTIC TREATMENT ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN PATTERN IN PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH IRREVERSIBLE PULPITIS AND APICAL PERIODONTITIS

Abstract

Background and Aim: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are widely used to treat postoperative pain. Corticosteroids, long-acting anaesthesia, and occlusal relief are among of the therapy techniques utilized to relieve inter or postoperative pain. The goal of this study was to see how occlusal relief affected the pattern of postoperative pain at various time intervals in patients with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis.

Material and Methods: This is a prospective study of persons who underwent RCT in teeth with vital pulp, necrotic pulp, or vital pulp that had been treated for symptomatic irreversible pulpitis by one endodontic clinician over a one-year period, or who received root canal retreatment. Sixty posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis and minor tenderness to percussion were included in this randomised trial. The root canal procedure was started, and biomechanical preparation was completed. After applying calcium hydroxide as an intracanal medicament, a closed dressing was applied. The patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group where occlusal contacts were alleviated (n = 50) and the control group where occlusal contacts were left intact (n = 50). The Heft Parker Visual Analogue Scale was used to record and analyse postoperative pain at various intervals.

Results: A total of 100 patients were treated, with 50 in each group. Each group had 50 patients evaluated. There were 64 (64%) women and 36 (36%) men among the 100 patients. The discomfort felt by the patients dramatically decreased over time and was constant in both groups at the 6-hour follow-up. At 6 h, there is no statistically significant change in pain status between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative discomfort incidence between groups. In the occlusion eased group, the pattern of postoperative pain did indicate a steady reduction. There were flare-ups in the occlusion intact group. This shows that occlusal reduction could be useful in preventing flare-ups during endodontic treatment.

Key Words: Endodontic treatment, Occlusal relief, Postoperative pain, Root canal treatment