Comparative evaluation of digital radiography, electronic apex locator and simultaneous working length determination on postoperative pain after root canal treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to compare postoperative pain after root canal preparation using three different methods of working length determination.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

60 patients diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were randomly divided into three groups based on the method of working length (WL) determination. Group 1: digital radiograph (DRG), Group 2: electronic apex locator (EAL), Group 3: the simultaneous working length control (SLC) method using an endomotor with an integrated apex locator. The root canal treatments were completed in a single visit, and patients were asked to record their pain response using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

Group 1 (DRG) recorded the highest postoperative pain score, while the lowest was recorded by Group 3 (SLC). There was a statistically significant difference in the VAS pain scores between DRG and SLC (p<0.05) at 6-, 24- and 48-hour intervals.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the SLC can be a helpful working length determination technique to reduce postoperative pain.