Background: Postoperative pain affects 16%-25% of root canal therapy patients. The irrigating system and irrigants used should reduce bacterial load without irrigant extrusion beyond the root canal apex, potentially reducing postoperative pain and discomfort.
Aim: This study aims to compare the effects of passive ultrasonic irrigation and side-vented needle irrigation on postoperative pain and bacterial load in single-rooted teeth with pulp necrosis.
Materials and methods: Eighty patients with pulpal necrosis in single-rooted teeth were randomly categorized into two groups (n = 40 each): Group A (side-vented needle irrigation) and Group B (passive ultrasonic irrigation). Bacterial samples were collected using sterile paper points after initial access cavity preparation (S1) and standard endodontic instrumentation + irrigation (S2). Bacterial growth was assessed on MacConkey and blood agar. Pain was recorded 30 min preoperatively and 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively.
Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: Irrigation with Irrisafe tips showed increased number of bacteria-free samples and a significant reduction in postoperative pain (at the 6 and 12 h time-points) when compared to side-vented needle.
Conclusions: Passive ultrasonic irrigation with Irrisafe tips may be more effective than side-vented needle irrigation in reducing postoperative pain and intracanal bacterial load in patients undergoing endodontic treatment.
Keywords: Bacterial load; irrigation; passive ultrasonic activation; postoperative pain.
Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics.