Evaluation of root canal treatment performed with one curve and one reci rotary file systems and its impact on quality of life: a questionnaire study

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of root canal treatments performed with One Curve (OC) and One Reci (OR) rotary file systems on patients' quality of life using the OHIP-14 scale and to examine the impact of postoperative pain levels on this quality. Method: The study was conducted on 84 patients, aged between 18 and 66, who applied to the Department of Endodontics at Pamukkale University and met specific inclusion criteria. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=42): Group 1 was treated with the OC file system, and Group 2 with the OR file system. All treatments were performed by the same operator in a single session according to standard protocols. The canals were irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. Subsequently, the root canals were filled using Sealapex (Kerr, Scafati, Italy) sealer and gutta-percha, and the treatment was completed with a composite restoration. Postoperative pain levels were assessed using the VAS (0-100) (Visual Analog Scale) at the 24th hour, and quality of life was measured using the OHIP-14 scale at the 24th hour, and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test was used, along with Bonferroni and Tukey post hoc tests (p≤0.05). Results: No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of mean age (p=0.881) and gender distribution (p=1.000). There was also no significant association between gender and patient quality of life. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups regarding 24-hour postoperative pain with VAS scores (p=0.312). However, statistically significant differences were found in psychological discomfort and OHIP scores at the 24th hour, indicating that the OR group experienced more psychological distress than the OC group on the first day. The relationship in scores between the 24th hour and the 12th month at OR group was significantly greater than at OC group (p=0.906). Conclusion: The OC and OR systems showed similar effects on quality of life at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. However, OC was more comfortable than OR in terms of psychological discomfort experienced on the first day. Due to the higher initial OHIP score in the OR group, the change in OHIP scores from day one to 12 months was greater than that observed in the OC group. We can conclude that the change in OHIP scores in both test groups is primarily due to the different instrumentation techniques.