Evaluation of Postoperative Pain and Success Rate Between Lateral Condensation and Warm Vertical Obturation Techniques

Evaluation of Postoperative Pain and Success Rate Between Lateral Condensation and Warm Vertical Obturation Techniques - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary

Postoperative pain is a common complication following root canal treatment, particularly in necrotic teeth with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. Although obturation technique has been suggested as a contributing factor to postoperative discomfort, direct clinical comparisons between commonly used methods remain limited. Cold lateral condensation has traditionally been considered the standard obturation technique, while warm vertical obturation systems such as Obtura II have gained popularity due to their potential for improved adaptation of gutta-percha.

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare postoperative pain experience and treatment outcomes following cold lateral condensation and warm vertical obturation in single-rooted necrotic teeth. Postoperative pain will be assessed during the early healing period, along with patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical and radiographic healing. The results of this study are expected to provide clinically relevant evidence to support evidence-based obturation technique selection and improve patient comfort in endodontic practice.

This study is a prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial designed to investigate the influence of obturation technique on postoperative pain experience and short-term treatment outcomes in single-rooted teeth with necrotic pulps.

All endodontic treatments will be performed by a single experienced operator to minimize inter-operator variability. After administration of local anesthesia and placement of rubber dam isolation, standardized access cavities will be prepared. Working length determination will be performed using an electronic apex locator and confirmed radiographically.

Root canal preparation will be carried out using rotary nickel-titanium instruments according to a standardized instrumentation protocol applied uniformly across all participants. Irrigation will be standardized for all cases and will include sodium hypochlorite during instrumentation and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for smear layer removal, followed by final canal irrigation and drying using sterile paper points. All procedural steps prior to obturation will be identical between groups to isolate the effect of obturation technique on postoperative outcomes.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two obturation techniques:

• Cold lateral condensation, performed using standardized gutta-percha cones and an epoxy resin-based sealer.
• Warm vertical condensation, performed using a thermoplasticized gutta-percha delivery system (Obtura II) in combination with gutta-percha and the same sealer.

Obturation procedures will be conducted according to manufacturer instructions and established clinical guidelines. Immediate coronal sealing will be completed following obturation to reduce the risk of coronal microleakage.

Postoperative pain will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will receive standardized written and verbal instructions on how to record pain intensity at predefined time points following treatment. Analgesic consumption during the postoperative period will also be documented. Follow-up contact will be made as needed to ensure adherence to pain recording and study protocols.

Clinical and radiographic evaluations will be performed at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up visit to assess treatment outcome and periapical healing. Standardized periapical radiographs will be obtained using consistent exposure parameters. Radiographic assessment will be performed by a blinded assessor to reduce assessment bias.

Randomization will be carried out using sealed opaque envelopes prepared prior to patient recruitment. Due to the nature of the intervention, operator blinding is not feasible; however, patients will be blinded to the obturation technique used, and outcome assessment will be performed by blinded evaluators whenever applicable.

This study is designed to generate controlled clinical evidence regarding the effect of obturation technique on postoperative pain perception and short-term treatment outcomes in necrotic single-rooted teeth, thereby supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making in endodontic practice.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Patients requiring endodontic treatment for single-rooted necrotic teeth.
• Radiographic and clinical diagnosis of asymptomatic apical periodontitis.
• Ability to understand the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Teeth diagnosed with symptomatic apical periodontitis.
• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Patients with systemic diseases affecting pain perception (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, chronic pain conditions).
• Teeth that have been previously endodontically treated.
• Patients taking medications that may influence pain perception (e.g., chronic analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug use).
• Periodontally compromised teeth with significant bone loss or mobility.