[Evaluation of postoperative pain in root canal treatment]

The control of postoperative pain is very important for the success of root canal treatment. The aim of this study was to research the factors that affect pain periods and pain intensity during and after endodontic treatment.

The study included 128 patients. The teeth were grouped according to their type, location and vitality. Root canals were prepared by Hero-shaper and crown-down methods, and filled by lateral condensation. The postoperative 12th hour and postoperative 1st, 3rd, 7th and 15th day Visual Analog Scales (VAS) scores of the patients were recorded and analyzed by statistical methods.

After treatment, the postoperative pain scores were statistically higher in devital than vital teeth. VAS pain score demonstrated statistical differences at the beginning of the treatment between anterior and molar teeth (p=0.012) and also at 3, 7 and 15 days after treatment between premolar and molar teeth (p=0.002, p=0.006, p=0.048, respectively). According to the localization of teeth, on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days, VAS scores were the highest in the mandibular teeth (p=0.014, p=0.036, p=0.023).

In postoperative pain evaluation, type, localization and vitality of teeth were determined as important. In addition, analysis of the factors that affect treatment as a whole will positively impact the issues of patient satisfaction, workload and cost.