Postoperative Pain After Root Canal Disinfection Via Diode Laser

The prevention and control of post-treatment pain is of great importance for the comfort of the patient as well as for the clinician's prestige. In this study, the effect of 940 nm diode laser disinfection on the postoperative pain of retreatment cases was evaluated.

From the fact that microorganisms are the most common factors causing pain, this study aimed to evaluate effect of 940 nm diode laser disinfection performed in addition to conventional irrigation on postoperative pain of retreatment cases. Eighty-four patients with chronic apical periodontitis were treated. Root canal fillings were removed using rotary files. Root canals were irrigated using sodium hypochlorite between instrument changes. Final irrigation was performed using sodium hypochlorite and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The cases were randomly allocated into 2 groups: Group 1: Diode laser disinfection group, Group 2: control group. Root canal fillings were applied and crowns were restored. All treatments were completed in a single appointment. Patients were given a pain scale and they were requested to mark the code that reflects their pain intensity during 3 days.

Root canal disinfection using a 940 nm dental laser after the removal of root canal filling of failed endodontic cases.

Without activating laser energy, same procedure as experimental group was performed (Sham laser application)

Pain intensity was evaluated at 24 hours after retreatment procedures. An 11-item numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to assess the pain. This NRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0 -10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. Number 0 represents 'no pain' whereas number 10 represents 'pain as bad as someone can imagine'.All patients were requested to mark a number corresponding to their average pain.

Pain intensity was evaluated at 48 hours after retreatment procedures. An 11-item numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to assess the pain. This NRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0 -10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. Number 0 represents 'no pain' whereas number 10 represents 'pain as bad as someone can imagine' . All patients were requested to mark a number corresponding to their average pain.

Pain intensity was evaluated at 72 hours after retreatment procedures. An 11-item numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to assess the pain. This NRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0 -10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. Number 0 represents 'no pain' whereas number 10 represents 'pain as bad as someone can imagine'. All patients were requested to mark a number corresponding to their average pain.

Inclusion Criteria: Only asymptomatic single rooted teeth that had an initial root canal filling diagnosed with chronic periodontitis (minimum size 2x2 mm) Exclusion Criteria: teeth with root canal fillings newer than 4 years, overfilled teeth, teeth with intraradicular posts, existence of a sinus tract, consumption of antibiotics within 1 month, consumption of analgesics in last 5 days, systemic disease, pregnancy, history of trauma, traumatic occlusion

Genc Sen O, Kaya M. Effect of Root Canal Disinfection with a Diode Laser on Postoperative Pain After Endodontic Retreatment. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Feb;37(2):85-90. doi: 10.1089/photob.2018.4539. Epub 2019 Jan 14.