Evaluation of Postoperative Pain and Instrumentation Time After Root Canal Treatment With Rotary and Reciprocal File Systems in Children - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Postoperative pain is a common symptom of a flare up after root canal treatments (RCTs). Insufficient instrumentation, extrusion of irrigation solutions and debris and existence of a periapical lesion are the factors affecting postoperative pain after root canal treatments. Aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative pain and instrumentation time of single-file reciprocating system and multiple-file Ni-Ti rotary system in children ages between 9-12. Study was conducted on fifty first permanent mandibular molars with the diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis. Patients were randomly separated into two groups and RCTs were completed with either Reciproc Blue or Protaper Next file systems. Instrumentation time for each system was noted and patients were given a pain scale which included visual analog scale for 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. Postoperative pain scores and instrumentation times were analyzed statistically with chi square test and student t test. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative pain between Reciproc Blue and Protaper Next systems at all time intervals. Instrumentation time was significantly shorter in the Reciproc Blue group in comparison with the Protaper Next group. In conclusion, shorter treatment time of single-file reciprocating systems may be more patient friendly and comfortable than multiple-file rotary systems in RCTs among children.