Effect of occlusal reduction on postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and mild tenderness to percussion.

Introduction: Pain management after root canal treatment is a very important issue in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal reduction on postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and tenderness to percussion.

Methods: Fifty-four posterior vital teeth with sensitivity to percussion requiring endodontic treatment were included in this study. After administration of local anesthesia, the root canals were instrumented, and an intracanal calcium hydroxide dressing was placed. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 27 each. In 1 group the occlusal surface was reduced (OR group), whereas in the other group the occlusal surface was not modified (no occlusal reduction, NOR group). Each patient was asked to record their postoperative pain on a visual analogue scale with 4 categories at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 1 day, and then daily for 6 days after this treatment. Data were analyzed by t test, Cochran Q, χ(2), and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: Forty-six patients returned the visual analogue scale forms. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between the 2 groups (P > .05) after root canal preparation and calcium hydroxide dressing.

Conclusions: Occlusal surface reduction did not provide any further reduction in postoperative pain for teeth with irreversible pulpitis and mild tenderness to percussion compared with no occlusal reduction.