The effect of root canal preparation with nickel-titanium rotary instruments in reducing post-operative pain

Objective: To examine the effect of nickel-titanium rotary instruments in reducing post-operative pain.

Methods: 95 molars with pulpal and/or periapical involvement were randomly assigned to two groups for root canal preparation. One group was treated with ProFile nickel-titanium rotary instruments; the other was treated by using stainless steel hand files-FlexoFile. The incidence and degree of post-operative pain after root canal preparation in the two groups were recorded.

Results: In ProFile group, the incidence of post-operative pain was 27.7%, while 62.5% of the teeth developed post-operative pain after hand preparation. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Root canal preparation on molars with stainless steel hand files resulted in relatively high incidence of post-operative pain. Mechanical preparation using ProFile nickel-titanium instruments generated less post-operative pain and discomfort.