Impact of Intracanal Cryotherapy on Post-Root Canal Pain in Patients with Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis

Sadaf Humayoun; Harris Saeed

doi:10.65293/jbkcd.v1i01.11

Authors

Sadaf Humayoun Professor, Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Harris Saeed Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65293/jbkcd.v1i01.11

Keywords:

Cryotherapy, Apical Periodontitis, Root Canal Therapy, Postoperative Pain, Pain Measurement, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: Post-endodontic pain is one of the worries of those patients who have symptomatic apical periodontitis. Intracranial cryotherapy may be used as an adjunctive method to relieve pain and improve comfort after treatment.

Study Design: Randomized controlled study.

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July 2022 to December 2022.

Methodology: A total of One hundred and fifty clinically symptomatic patients with apical periodontitis were randomly assigned into two groups, namely the cryotherapy (n = 75) and the control (n 75) groups. The intensity of pain was determined using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after treatment. The use of analgesics was also noted. Pain scores between groups were compared using independent t-tests.

Results: Statistically, both samples had similar baseline pain scores (p = 0.675). The cryotherapy group showed significantly less pain (3.5 (1.5)) at 24 hours than the control group (5.2 (1.8); p < 0.001). Compared with the cryotherapy group, pain at 48 hours was also reduced (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 4.3 ± 1.6; p < 0.001). A larger share of cryotherapy patients (24%) reported a significant decrease in pain (VAS 7-10), and fewer of them had the opportunity to receive analgesics (66.7% vs. 40%).

Conclusion: The use of intracanal cryotherapy helps reduce post-endodontic pain levels and analgesic use in symptomatic apical periodontitis patients. It shows significant promise as a complementary approach to standard root canal surgery for managing postoperative pain.

Author Biography

Sadaf Humayoun, Professor, Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Corresponding Author: sadaf.humayoun@gmail.com

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