The effect of different irrigation and disinfection methods on post-operative pain in mandibular molars: a randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Background To examine post-operative pain (PP) after conventional irrigation and sonic activation methods, with and without laser disinfection in mandibular molars. Methods Eighty patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis were included in this randomized clinical study. There were four study groups. In group 1, conventional irrigation only was applied. In group 2, a sonic irrigation activation system (EDDY (VDW, Munich, Germany)), was applied. In groups 3 and 4, irradiation with a 980-nm diode laser was performed, following irrigation with the conventional method and sonic irrigation activation system, respectively. The patients were instructed to record their PP and analgesic intake using a numerical rating scale 8, 24, 48 h and 7 days post-procedure. A chi-square test, Fisher’s exact chi-square test and Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact test were used to assess qualitative data. Inter-group and intra-group parameters were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Wilcoxon’s test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of age, sex, pre-operative pain, PP and analgesic intake (p > 0.05). Conclusions The use of sonic irrigation activation system in the final irrigation protocol and irradiation with the 980-nm diode laser did not significantly reduce PP levels and analgesic intake.