The effect of reciprocating instrument and obturation techniques on postoperative pain in retreatment: A prospective clinical study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess postoperative pain in prospective randomized clinical trial comparing Reciproc or hand instrument and also different obturation techniques in one visit of endodontic retreatment. Materials and metods: The study was included 45 patients (18-65 yrs old) who needed endodontic retreatment in mandibular premolar or molar without any symptoms. The teeth had been randomly assign into 3 groups according to the instrumentation or obturation techniques; hand files with lateral condensation, Reciproc with lateral condensation, or Reciproc with continuous condensation technique. Retreatments had performed in a single visit. Coronal restorations were removed, the gutta-percha were extracted using either Reciproc or hand files. After, biochemical and mechanical praparation, the canals were filled with gutta-percha cones and AH Plus sealer using the lateral condensation or continuous wave of obturation technique. Participants were been asked to rate the incidence and intensity of the postoperative pain on a verbal rating scale 24h, 48h and 72h and 7 days after retreatment. All data were analyzed using (Chi-square test, p=0,05) Results: No statistically significant difference was found among the groups in relation to postoperative pain (p > 0.05). Although the intensity of postoperative pain was decreased over the time in all groups, statistically difference was found only in Reciproc groups (p < 0.05). However, no pain was found in any patient at the end of 7 day. Also, statistically significant difference was found between pain intense and periapical index in 24 and 72 hours (p < 0,05). Conclusions: In the present study, intense of post operative pain was not found to be related to instrumentation or obturation techniques in retreatment cases. The intensity of pain found to be higher in patient with high periapical index in 24 and 72 hours. Keywords: Retreatment, Reciproc, continuous wave of obturation technique, postoperative pain.