Postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with two different instrumentation techniques: A randomized clinical trial

This study compared postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with the RaCe rotary system and the crown‑down versus the step‑down technique.

In this randomized clinical trial, 70 mandibular 1st and 2nd molars with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis and normal periradicular state were randomly assigned to two groups for single‑visit endodontic treatment with RaCe rotary system and the crown‑down and the step‑down technique (n = 35). Postoperative pain was assessed at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h postoperatively, using a Visual Analog Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17 by repeated measures ANOVA, Chi‑square test, independent sample t‑test, and lLeast sSignificant Ddifference test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The two groups were not significantly different regarding the pain scores at any time point (P > 0.05). Within‑group comparisons showed a significant reduction in pain score over time, starting from 12 to 168 h, postoperatively (P < 0.05).

The crown‑down and step‑down techniques had no significant difference regarding postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with the RaCe rotary system.