Comparison of the effect on postoperative pain between instrumentation with and without connected electronic apex locator: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative pain between root canal instrumentation with unconnected electronic apex locator and instrumentation with connected electronic apex locator. Methods: Forty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=21). Group 1 was treated using the traditional endodontic motor with unconnected electronic apex locator (EAL) and group 2 was treated using the endodontic motor with connected EAL. All teeth were treated in single-visit endodontic therapy. Postoperative pain levels at 6, 24, 48, 72 h and 1 week were recorded by patients. The data were collected and analyzed using the χ2, and Mann-Whitney U tests with significance at 0.05. Results: Postoperative pain levels were significantly reduced by half at 6 hours in both experimental groups; however, no significant differences were found in postoperative pain levels between the two groups at all considered times. The postoperative pain levels using a percussion test were reduced on day 7 in both groups, and there was no significant difference in this variable between two groups. Conclusions: Both groups have a similar effect on reduction of the postoperative pain for endodontic patients undergoing root canal.