Single Visit Root Canal Treatment

Comparison of pretreatment gabapentin and pregabalin to control postoperative endodontic pain - a double-blind, randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative endodontic pain is an enigma for the dentist. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect of 300 mg gabapentin or 75 mg pregabalin in reducing postoperative endodontic pain compared with a placebo.

METHODS

Ninety patients who needed root canal treatment with an initial numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score of > 4 (T0) were randomly divided into three groups (n=30). Patients were then administered either 300 mg gabapentin (group A), 75 mg pregabalin (group B), or a placebo (group C) 30 min prior to the start of endodontic treatment. A single operator performed single-visit endodontics, and pain was evaluated immediately after endodontic treatment (T1) and at 4 h (T2), 8 h (T3), 12 h (T4), 24 h (T5), 48 h (T6), and 72 h (T7) using the NRS. Ibuprofen/paracetamol (400 mg/325 mg) was administered as a rescue dose if needed.

RESULTS

Pregabalin performed significantly better when compared with gabapentin at all time points except at 72 h after treatment (P=0.170). The placebo group showed significantly higher pain scores than the other two groups. The percentage of pain relief was maximum for pregabalin (92.1%), followed by gabapentin (87.6%) and placebo (69.1%) at 72 h after treatment completion.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that pretreatment with a single dose of pregabalin and gabapentin both had greater analgesic effects than a placebo. They can be effectively used to reduce postoperative endodontic pain.

One-visit RCT of Maxillary Incisors with Extensive Inflammatory Root Resorption and Periradicular Lesions: A Case Report

Inflammatory external root resorption (IERR) is a pathological phenomenon of microbial origin. This study reports a case of external apical inflammatory root resorption of maxillary incisors associated with periradicular lesions in a 22 year old female, which was successfully treated by one-visit root canal therapy (RCT). Radiographic investigation revealed periapical radiolucencies in the upper incisors associated with varying degrees of external inflammatory root resorption of teeth 12, 21 and 22. One-visit RCT of all involved teeth was carried out. Access cavities were permanently restored after 1 week. Clinical and radiographic examinations at 1 day, 1 week and 14 month follow-up demonstrated complete resolution of patient's signs/symptoms. The incisors were fully functional, and complete bone healing of the apical radiolucencies had taken place. The treatment outcomes demonstrated that IERR associated with periradicular lesions can respond successfully to one-visit RCT when conducted with adequate disinfection and a satisfactory coronal seal. Hence, one-visit RCT may be a good alternative to multiple-visit RCT involving intra-canal medicaments.