Effects of irrigation needles with different designs used during endodontic treatment on postoperative pain

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of irrigation needles with different designs on postoperative pain during endodontic treatment. Method: Sixty-six patients diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis who underwent root canal treatment on mandibular molars were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the design of the irrigation needle used during root canal treatment. Open-ended irrigation needle was used in group 1, side-port closed-ended irrigation needle was used in group 2, and double side-port closed-ended irrigation needle was used in group 3. After completion of root canal treatment, preoperative and postoperative pain levels were evaluated at 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days. Results: Postoperative pain levels were highest at the 6th hour in all groups. A significant decrease in pain over time was observed in all groups (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in postoperative pain were found between the groups at any time point (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The design of irrigation needles used during endodontic treatment does not appear to affect postoperative pain levels.