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Clinical Trials/NCT07262554
NCT07262554
Active, not recruiting
Phase 2

Evaluation of N-acetylcysteine as an Intracanal and Adjunctive Systemic Medication in Root Canal Treatment of Necrotic Mature Teeth With Apical Periodontitis: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Alexandria University1 site in 1 country40 target enrollmentStarted: November 15, 2025Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Phase 2
Status
Active, not recruiting
Enrollment
40
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Postoperative pain intensity

Overview

Brief Summary

A randomized controlled trial comparing the postoperative pain intensity, periapical biomarkers level, and periapical healing in patients with necrotic mature teeth and apical periodontitis treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as an intracanal and adjunctive systemic medication, versus calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) intracanal medication alone.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking Description

Two blinded and trained researchers, not involved in the intervention, will independently assess the pre- and postoperative radiographs. A blinded assessor will also perform the data analysis.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
16 Years to 60 Years (Child, Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Mature necrotic teeth.
  • Radiographic evidence of periapical bone loss.
  • Teeth that require primary endodontic treatment.
  • Restorable teeth.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Immature teeth
  • Teeth that had been previously accessed or endodontically treated.
  • Teeth with periodontal pockets deeper than 4 mm.
  • Patients with acute apical abscess.
  • Patients with systemic diseases.
  • Pregnant females.
  • Patients who received antibiotic therapy within the past month.
  • Patient on analgesics.

Arms & Interventions

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)

Active Comparator

UltraCal XS calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) intracanal medication for 7 days

Intervention: Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) (Drug)

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Experimental

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) intracanal medication for 7 days and 600 mg/day oral NAC for 21 days

Intervention: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) (Drug)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Postoperative pain intensity

Time Frame: Pain will be recorded before the intervention, and patients will use the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) to self-assess postoperative pain at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week.

Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), which is a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). Patients will be asked to choose the number that represents their pain intensity. Pain level will be assigned as follows: 0, "no pain"; 1-3, "mild pain"; 4-6, "moderate pain"; 7-10, "severe pain."

Assessment of periapical healing

Time Frame: A CBCT scan will be taken preoperatively and at six months follow-up.

Assessment of the percentage change in lesion volume through three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the lesions in Cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans performed preoperatively and after a six-month follow-up.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Change in the level of periapical tissues biomarkers(Samples will be collected from the periapical tissue fluid at two different points: before (S1) and after 7 days of administration of medications (S2).)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Mai Hussein

Assistant lecturer

Alexandria University

Study Sites (1)

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