Role of Cryotherapy in Reduction of Post Operative Endodontic Pain Following Single Visit Root Canal Therapy

Role of Cryotherapy in Reduction of Post Operative Endodontic Pain Following Single Visit Root Canal Therapy

AIM : To determine the efficacy of cold saline irrigation in reduction of post operative pain following root canal therapy.

METHODOLOGY : Forty patients requiring root canal treatment on permanent single rooted teeth were included. The patients were assigned randomly into two groups of 20 patients each. The teeth in Group1 (n = 20) were irrigated using normal saline solution, whilst those in Group 2 (n = 20) were irrigated with cold saline solution stored at 4 degrees centigrade. A Heft Parker visual analog scale was used to measure pre-operative pain and post-obturation pain at 12, 24,48 and 72 hours after obturation. Chi square tests and Mann Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above 18 years of age
• Healthy patients without any medical conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

• root canal retreatment
• pregnancy
• teeth with open apices
• a history of intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• immunosuppressed patients
• those under 18 years old
• patients requiring antibiotic prophylaxis
• patients with pacemakers.