Pattern of postoperative pain during endodontic treatment – A randomized control study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal relief on the pattern of postoperative pain at different time intervals in patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis. The null hypothesis proposed was, there is no difference in the postoperative pain in the experimental and control groups. Materials and Methods: In this randomized study, sixty posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis and slight tender to percussion were included. Root canal treatment was initiated and biomechanical preparation was done. Closed dressing was given after placing calcium hydroxide as an intracanal medicament. The patients were randomized using computer-generated randomization software into the experimental group where occlusal contacts were relieved (n = 30) and to the control group where occlusal contacts were left intact (n = 30). Postoperative pain at different intervals was recorded using the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale and analyzed. Results: There is no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative pain between the two groups. There is a significant reduction in pain at 6 h within the groups compared to all other time intervals, and flare-ups were reported in the occlusal intact group. Conclusion: The pattern of postoperative pain did show a gradual reduction in the occlusion relieved group. Flare-ups were reported in the occlusion intact group. Within the limitations of the study, the occlusal reduction could play an important role in prevention of flare-ups during endodontic treatment.