Postoperative pain after using ER,CR,YSGG lazer irradiation versus naocl irrigation for intracanal disinfection : A randomized controlled clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this randomized, controlled, clinical trail was to determine the postoperative pain after use of NaOCl and Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Biolase Inc., Irvine, California, USA) as an intracanal disinfection method. Material and methods: One hundred and seventy patients with single rooted asymptomatic teeth with necrotic pulps approved for this study. Root canal preparation was completed with Reciproc(VDW, Munich, Germany) rotary instruments. For intracanal irrigation and disinfection, two different treatment protocols were used and patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group NaOCl was used during root canal instrumentation and disinfection procedures. In the second group sterilized saline was used during root canal procedures and Er,Cr,YSGG laser was used for the disinfection of root canals. All teeth were obturated at the first visit by using root canal sealer(Adseal,Meta Biomed Co, Korea) and gutta-percha with lateral compaction technique. Postoperative pain was recorded using a verbal rating scale with the time intervals 0-6, 6-12, 12-24 and 24-72 hours after treatment. Results: There were no significant differences between groups at 0-6, 6-12 and 24-72 hours time intervals (P>0.05). However, at 12-24 time interval disenfection with NaOCl increased post operative pain significantly (P<0.05). For analgesic intake there were no significant differences at any time intervals . Conclusions: The incidence and intensity of pain and analgesic intake following disinfection of root canals with NaOCl and laser were similar. There was slight tendency in post operative discomfort only at 12-24 hours after root canals disinfection with NaOCl. Key Words: Er,Cr:YSGG laser, NaOCl, root canal treatment, postoperative pain