A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain and flare-ups in single and multiple visits root canal treatment.

Background: Irreversible pulpitis is a painful and debilitating condition. Root canal treatment (RCT) provides prompt relief and salvages the affected tooth/teeth. It has classically been performed as a multivisit procedure. A relatively newer approach constitutes performing all the steps in one single visit. This study was designed to explore if single-visit RCT could be confidently used as an effective and preferred treatment modality for irreversible pulpitis in the Indian Armed forces. Methods: The study compared the incidence of postoperative pain, tenderness on percussion (TOP), flare-ups, and the analgesic drug use in 60 cases of acute irreversible pulpitis who were treated by either single or multiple visit root canal therapy. Each treatment group included 30 patients who were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 h, one week and one month. Results: The study found statistically higher incidence of postoperative pain (mild variant) and TOP in single visit therapy, 24 h after the obturation while the difference was insignificant at one week and one month after therapy. Analgesic use was significantly higher after the single visit therapy in the first 24 h. No flare-ups were recorded in either group. Significant pain and tenderness was observed after chemo-mechanical preparation (appointment 2) in multivisit regimen. Conclusion: Single visit therapy is a safe, practical, and effective approach. The treatment results are similar to the multivisit regimen. It should therefore be considered for wider adoption and application.